Miller’s Girl is a seductive and smartly written film about the power of longed for affirmation and the alluring attraction of shared interest. Written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett, and starring Martin Freeman and Jenna Ortega. See it in theaters January 26th
For those looking for a nerdier, less dark and morose Jenna Ortega; keep looking. If you ever wondered what Wednesday Adams did in High School, here you go. Ortega is incredible at what she does and one of my favorite young actresses today, hands down. My fear though is that soon her roles and characters will be expected more than surprising.
That said, her moody disposition works wonderfully with Bartlett’s writing and directing. Cairo Sweet (Ortega) is an insightful and talented student who catches the eye of Mr. Miller (Freeman) her creative writing teacher. Miller is fascinated and drawn to her ability to read and grasp literature way past her years. As a struggling writer himself Miller longs for her to see in him something others do not.
The film can also be a lesson in what never to do as a teacher, or an adult in any vocation. We all long to be seen and validated, but there is a line that once crossed has irreversible consequences. Watching this you can’t help but get frustrated with both of their decisions, but the sad truth is Miller should know better.
I am not sure there is one character in this whole movie that actually has their head on straight. Which could honestly be as much fact as fiction to the real world. Do any of us really have it all figured out?
The production design of this film was a huge plus. It is a very minimal film shot in less than a hand ful of locations. But each one is rich in style, texture, and at times goth-like charm. It is this backdrop that adds to the creepiness and unhinged story we see play out in front of us.
Bartlett also does a clever job of using literature and the written word as a seductive tool. The dialogue and read passages are used in place of flesh when offering up fiery passion. In fact writing is at the core of this film more than anything. The desire to write versus the courage to see it through. Each character trapped on one side or the other uses it as a catalyst for lashing out. There is a fine line between constructive criticism and venom. We see that mainly in Miller’s wife played fantastically by actress Dagmara Dominczyk.
Miller’s Girl is rated R for sexual content, language throughout, some teen smoking and drinking. It is an adult tale and smartly offered up. If anything it made me curious for what writer director Jade Halley Bartlett will give us next.
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