'A Radiant Girl'- Movie Review

In his poem "Musee des Beaux Arts," W.H. Auden utilized a Brueghel painting depicting Icarus' fall from the sky to convey an important lesson about tragedy. He notes that "it takes place/While someone else is eating or opening a window or just walking dully along," emphasizing how the biggest, most catastrophic events often go unnoticed by those living their daily lives. Charlotte Wells' impressive directorial debut, "Aftersun," and now "A Radiant Girl," also embrace this idea by focusing on the small, yet crucial moments that are often overlooked in the grand scheme of things.

The film centers around Irène, a young Jewish woman in Paris in 1942, who is on the brink of adulthood and endless possibilities. However, we know that her potential is about to vanish as we see the warning signs of what is to come, making her hopeful and happy demeanor all the more heart-wrenching. The movie's period details are subtle, with little emphasis on the technology or cars that separate us from the past. Costume designer Emmanuelle Youchnovski's designs are timeless, seamlessly blending into the film's narrative. However, we are reminded of the film's historical context when Irène turns around near the end, revealing a yellow star on her jacket.

Rebecca Marder portrays Irène brilliantly, captivating the audience with her open, trusting, and vulnerable persona. At first, we hear her rehearsing a love scene for an audition, making us believe she's speaking to her lover. However, we quickly realize that these are lines for her acting audition, and Irène dreams of studying acting at the conservatory. She lives with her father, André, her grandmother Marceline, and her brother Igor. Her father tries to classify her as half-Jewish, hoping to protect her from disqualification, while her grandmother wants to protest the big, red "Jew" lettering on her identification card.

When Irène's scene partner disappears, she focuses on finding a replacement for her audition. Still, she also develops a crush on her doctor's assistant, even pretending to have issues with her eyesight to spend more time with him. Director Sandrine Kiberlain, who is also an actress, captures the world of theater perfectly, showing how young, aspiring actors often blur the line between reality and story. Kiberlain depicts the small details, making the young performers' auditions and wait for results more realistic.

Overall, "A Radiant Girl" is a powerful and poignant film that explores the small moments that can make a life, even in the face of impending tragedy. The attention to period detail, the strong performances by the cast, and the careful direction by Sandrine Kiberlain all contribute to a film that is both subtle and devastating.

One of the film's most striking features is its focus on the quotidian details of life in Paris in 1942. From Irène's wardrobe to the way her family interacts, everything feels authentic and lived-in. This attention to detail helps to ground the film and make the characters and their experiences feel all the more real.

Unlike most Holocaust dramas that focus on the trains, barbed wire, and starving prisoners, "A Radiant Girl" explores what happened before, making the story more relatable and personal. The movie encourages viewers to identify with the individuals who were lost during this tragic event in history.

At the same time, "A Radiant Girl" is not afraid to tackle big themes and important issues. The looming threat of the Holocaust is ever-present, but the film does not shy away from exploring the nuances of life in occupied Paris. The characters are fully realized and their struggles and triumphs feel earned.

Ultimately, "A Radiant Girl" is a film that deserves to be seen. It is a moving and thoughtful exploration of life, love, and loss, and a testament to the power of cinema to bring us closer to those who have come before us. Whether you are a fan of period dramas or simply looking for a powerful story that will stay with you long after the credits roll, this is a film that should not be missed.