'A Quiet Passion' A Review

A Quiet Passion is a historical drama about the life of poet Emily Dickinson. The film opens on Emily(Emma Bell) in a school during a confrontation with a teacher on matters of religion. She is then taken home by her family and we are shown their intelligent, close, and unique dynamic. In an interesting portrait time-lapse scene the actors change. Emily(Cynthia Nixon) writes poetry, banters with her outspoken friend Miss Buffum(Catherine Bailey), discusses religion and gender with her family, and yearns for romantic companionship but steadfastly refuses to give up her limited personal and spiritual autonomy.

Nixon is incredibly striking and dynamic as the famous poet. Evoking not only her joy for poetry and her family but her uncompromising and radical views on gender and religion. Easily one of the best performances of the year and one of Nixon's best. The supporting cast are all engaging with great chemistry most notably Bailey as Buffum and Jennifer Ehle as Vinnie Emily's sister. For a period drama the cast does remarkably well creating fully flushed out and compelling characters despite the pervading cultural restraint. There is also an alacrity with the language that heightens the film rather than hamstrings it, allowing passion and poetry.

Picturesque but contained the cinematography mirrors and helps translate Emily's inner life. Comfortable but confining, sunlit but shadowed. The score is remarkably restrained, almost indiscernible, emotional moments are left mostly alone to patiently develop and show reality in real time more than something more presentational.

A fascinating and inspiring look into the life of America's greatest poets.

Don't Miss It.