Queen of Earth (2015)

Grief, loss, mental trauma and co-dependency are explored in writer and director Alex Ross Perry's Queen of Earth. A raw psychological drama with a keynote performance from Elisabeth Moss who at times unleashes bile at those around her.Moss plays Catherine who grew up together with Ginny (Katherine Waterston) her best friend, they are spending a week at a remote lake house which they also did the previous year. At that time it was Ginny whose life was in turmoil with Catherine helping her to pull through.Now Catherine is in a dark place with mental instability due to the death of her father and the ending of a relationship with her boyfriend.Over the following days both women realise that they have been drifting apart for some time with Ginny unable to help Catherine through her mental trauma. Catherine seems even more bitter that this year Gina has brought along a new boyfriend with her.The film has a lot of moody shots, Moss looks great with her make up running down looking that she is on the edge of a breakdown but this film is a slog to watch and is just too ponderous.

"Queen of Earth" is a great film. Based off the other reviews here, I think this film is under appreciated.This film takes a hard look at the complexities and imbalances that occur in long term friendships. As two people get to know each other for longer and longer, facades of politeness and patience slide away as character flaws are exposed. The two women in this story - Catherine and Virginia - have developed a deep understanding of how the other thinks, feels and fears and, for better or for worse, use this to their further their own emotional agendas.Set entirely in a vacation house in the woods, Catherine has come to Virginia for support after her father died and her boyfriend broke up with her - leaving her emotionally shipwrecked and her life in shambles. Virginia is stuck between caring for her overbearing friend and addressing the ways Catherine mistreated and took advantage of her in the past.The two women hurl mean thoughts to each other in the form of hard truths - or at least things that they believe to be true. At first glance, it is surprising to see how such a volatile relationship can be sustained as a friendship. However, as the film progresses, we see the need for each character to have someone in their life that may not care for them but, at the very least, understand and be present for them.The depth of the emotional drama is complemented by the creative camera-work and the beautiful, foreboding soundtrack which elevates this story to something of an emotional thriller. In more ways than one, the building of psychological tension between the women is as exciting as a suspenseful, murder film.I don't want to give anything away, but there are instances in the film where the story disappears into Catherine's delusions and hallucinations that I personally found over the top and not necessary. I think the film was stronger without it. Additionally, this film does not provide any sort of resolution but I feel in that sense this story mirrors life. Very rarely do we have the privilege of closure in complicated relationships but, by consuming art that addresses the subject, we can better understand them.If you are inspired and intrigued by films such as Ingmar Bergman's "Persona", Woody Allen's "Hannah and her Sisters" and the midcentury plays of Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neil - all stories about characters who simultaneously love and hate each other, than this film is definitely for you.

Catherine (Elisabeth Moss) is staying with longtime friend Virginia (Katherine Waterston) at her family's lakeside cottage home. Last year, Catherine brought her boyfriend James which infuriated Virginia. Catherine works with her fame artist father. This year, she's devastated by his recent suicide. Catherine invites annoying Rich (Patrick Fugit) to their quiet retreat.I couldn't figure out this female friendship for the longest time. The movie has a lot of flashbacks and it's a struggle to understand the time/context. It's a relationship jigsaw puzzle. It's hard to understand why these two like each other but it does a great reveal at the end. At times, the movie shows that Catherine is psychologically breaking down which leaves the story telling untrustworthy. I wonder if making them sisters would be more compelling. As friends, it's unlikely that Catherine would stay with the rape-creepy Rich around.

Films are made for many purposes and I don't know what this one is about. They say it is a psychological-thriller, but yes, there is some psychology in it, but definitely no thriller, just a boring drama which means a character study material. The entire film was shot in a lake house and occasionally its surrounding area. There is no story in it, just the characters and they're being themselves that narrated in the days basis for a week, but those days were from the random years without a clear picture of what date, month or the year.There is lots of close up shots like it pushes you back from your seat suppose if you are leaning towards the front. The cinematography was what I felt uncomfortable, but overall not bad. I think the actors were good, both Katherine Waterston and Elisabeth Moss, just for this film because I've seen them in the better roles.Low budget and limited cast film, as well as short but not sweet as I anticipated. So I don't think everybody would enjoy it, I don't know who is the target audience, but I'm sure it will reach them who are going to defend it from people like me. Those who are not seen it, but want to, I only advise them to be careful while choosing it.3/10