REVIEW: Pieces of a Woman

Pieces of a Woman is a story of tragedy, grief, and motherhood. Perhaps I viewed this film differently because I watched it with my mum, which led to a long conversation around being a mother and what that means. I can’t help but think that it is one of the most beautiful films I have seen for a long time. 

Directed by Kornél Mundruczó and screenplay by Kata Wéber, Pieces of a Woman begins with Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia Labeouf) preparing to become parents. They have decided on home birth as they want their daughter to choose what time she comes into the world. When the labour begins, the couple’s first choice midwife is unable to attend to them so they are visited by their second choice Eva (Molly Parker). As the labour goes on, you’re watching for signs of Eva doing her job wrong. Some incompetence to blame for the tragic loss of Martha and Sean’s loss. 

Grief and motherhood

“Grief is long and complicated, the death of a child is unfair and Martha’s actions in the film portray that.”

Vanessa Kirby leads the cast expertly as Martha – there couldn’t be anyone else to play this role. Although she sometimes appears cold and unfeeling to those around her, it is a delicate portrayal of grief. Grief isn’t crying prettily and finding some comfort in a gravestone. Grief is long and complicated – the death of a child is unfair and Martha’s actions in the film portray that. 

Pieces of a Woman is a film that celebrates all forms of motherhood. Martha is still a mother even though her child passed away and she is still trying to do the best for her. Martha’s mother Elizabeth (Ellen Burstyn) is mourning the loss of her first grandchild whilst trying to reach out to her daughter. One of my favourite aspects of the film is the mother-daughter relationship between Martha and Elizabeth – together, Kirby and Burstyn are like gold-dust.

Meaningful characters

There is an incredible moment when all Elizabeth’s pent up anger at Martha comes out in one vicious sentence where she reveals she holds Martha partly responsible for the death of the child. As a viewer, you want to reach and force the two to hug. It is apparent that Elizabeth didn’t fully mean what she said but that moment acts as a catalyst for the healing of their relationship. Nothing is hidden, so Elizabeth and Martha can start again with a deeper understanding of each other. 

The only character I struggle to feel sympathy for is Sean. At the beginning of the film Labeouf does a stellar job at depicting the grieving father, however, as the film goes on, Sean becomes more and more frustrating. In the end, you’re glad that he chose to leave. 

Stunning cinematography

The cinematography in Pieces of a Woman is simply stunning. Each shot captures the exact mood of the characters – oftentimes the shot reflects what stage of grief Martha is at. Personally, I love the motif of the apple. After the death of her child, Martha eats an apple, it’s a small forgettable scene. Then she goes and buys a book about cultivating and growing apples and sets off on that process. At the trial into whether Eva is to blame for her child’s death when asked how she felt when she held her, Martha responds that she smelt like apples. After the trial, Martha returns to her fridge and finds that the apple seeds have sprouted roots. It is a simple yet moving way to show how Martha progresses with her grief. 

The film ends with an epilogue of sorts. Martha went on to have another little girl who the audience sees sitting in an apple tree before being helped down by her mother. Both of Martha’s children are together. It is a surprisingly happy and comforting ending. I loved it. 

Orla McAndrew

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Feature Image Via Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash. Image license is available here. This image has in no way been altered.