Marion Bridge (film)
Marion Bridge | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Wiebke von Carolsfeld |
Written by | Daniel MacIvor |
Starring | Molly Parker Rebecca Jenkins Stacy Smith Marguerite McNeil Elliot Page |
Music by | Lesley Barber |
Distributed by | Mongrel Media (Canada) |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
Country | Canada |
Language | English |
Marion Bridge is a 2002
Plot
Agnes (
The sisters bring their ailing mother home despite the mistrust they feel at Agnes' pledge to care for Rose, but Agnes cleans the house, acts what appears to be responsibly, and even encourages Louise to play her guitar and socialize with a friend from church. When Theresa's husband Donnie is left by his girlfriend, Theresa is compelled to comfort him and clean his house as she blames herself for his betrayal; he wanted children while she didn't, which is in her mind is a sin.
Agnes is unable to stop herself repeatedly driving to a gift shop in rural Marion Bridge in hopes of building a relationship with 16-year-old Joanie (Elliot Page), her daughter who resulted from the rape by her father. When Theresa finds out what Agnes has been doing, she warns her sister not to tell Joanie about her relationship to their family, and she refuses to consider Agnes' suggestion that they talk to their father.
Eventually Theresa relents about meeting Joanie, and accompanies Agnes to a meeting with her. Joanie's adoptive mother Chrissy (Hollis McLaren) confronts them, and asks that they wait until Joanie is an adult before telling her their secret. When Joanie visits the sisters and asks Agnes whether she is her mother, Agnes denies it, telling her Chrissy is her real mother.
Before she dies, the girls’ mother Rose asks her daughters to forgive her for ignoring things she didn't want to see as she believed it was best for everyone. The sisters finally visit their father, who is suffering from dementia, and his wife. With Agnes' encouragement, Louise buys a new truck and the sisters drive out to Marion Bridge for a picnic with Joanie and Chrissy.
Production
The film was shot in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island including Whitney Pier and Sydney River.
Critical response
In The New York Times review, film critic Stephen Holden praised Marion Bridge as "exquisitely acted" as well as "truthful and quietly compelling," adding that "it uncovers a complexity and depth of feeling rarely glimpsed in a family drama."[3]
Streaming
As of March 2024, the movie can be streamed on YouTube.[4]
References
- ^ Foley, F. Kathleen (September 17, 2017). "Review Three clashing sisters, one dying mother: A family's search for common ground in 'Marion Bridge'". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Marion Bridge". Filmmovement.com. 2006. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (April 18, 2003). "FILM IN REVIEW; 'Marion Bridge'". The New York Times.
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8A4stS_bU
External links
- Marion Bridge at IMDb
- Marion Bridge at Rotten Tomatoes