‘Women Talking’ Screens in Toronto

There was a TIFF members preview screening last night of “Women Talking.” There’s only one reaction circulating the net, and here it is:

Tonight I had the opportunity to attend. I liked it a lot and for me Claire Foy and Jessie Buckley were the standouts, with Rooney coming through a bit too. Frances McDormand is barely in the movie. There were like maybe 6 shots of her and I don't think she said anything the entire time, maybe a couple lines near the beginning? She was not one of the women in the main group.”

“I thought Ben Whishaw's natural sensitivity and gentleness was perfect for the role he plays. He had a short speech closer to the end about what it's like being a boy at age 13 or 14 that I thought was particularly poignant and hit me.“

“I'm torn as to which role, Buckley's or Foy's I felt was the stronger one. I liked both, they both had their moments, the focus kind of alternated throughout the story. I personally don't think either will likely break through but if they do it will likely only be one not both.”

“Rooney Mara is playing Ona and Jessie Buckley is playing Mariche I believe it was. I can't remember the name of Claire's character but it's one of the main mother characters. I liked Hildur Guðnadóttir's score a lot. At times it has a similar dark ominous tone as the Joker score or something out of Handmaid's Tale.”

McDormand isn't happening. She is barely in the movie and her character really doesn't add that much to the story in the grand scheme of things. I know there have been acting nominations for very short amounts of screen time but I would be surprised if her total screen time added up to a total of 5 minutes. Some of the times she's just basically background scenery watching the main group of women meet in secret to discuss what they should do.

You can take McDormand off your predictions. There had been a rumor last year that she dropped out of the film and then came back on-board for a “smaller role.” I guess this is that role.