Juliette Binoche stars as a woman thrown into a complex moral dilemma when she starts to doubt her stepfather has her vulnerable mother’s best interests at heart. Amanda is exasperated when she finds her mother and stepfather engaged in a sexual act. Leslie is living with advanced dementia and Amanda can’t be certain that Martin’s actions are what her mother wants. Winner of the Berlin Silver Bear Jury Prize, this fascinating and human drama from Ballast director Hammer is a subtle, beautifully composed masterwork. His camera asymmetrically frames his characters, exploring distance and powerlessness alongside the love and intimacy that exists between them. And Binoche, Courtenay and Calder-Marshall offer committed, heartbreakingly naturalistic performances that comfortably rank as some of the best of the year.
