Miss Julie
Director: Liv Ullmann
By Alex Watson
Liv Ullmann is a true icon of both Swedish and World Cinema in so many ways. As an actress, the Norweigan was the centerpiece of a great number of Ingmar Bergman's masterpieces such as Persona, Autumn Sonata and Cries and Whispers. She had a presence that was unmistakable and she proven to be an influence to many actress after. She has also turned her talents behind the screen by directing Sofie, Private Confessions and Faithless. For the last 15 years though, Ullmann has been absent from our screens, but this year she returns behind the camera adapting August Strindberg's play, Miss Julie. Today I was fortunate enough to attend the TIFF premiere at the Winter Garden Theatre, complete with introduction by Ullmann herself!
Set in Fermanagh, Ireland in 1890, midsummer's eve is upon the region and all are out celebrating. That is all except the troubled and mysterious Miss Julie (Jessica Chastain), the daughter of an Anglo- Irish baron who has chosen to stay behind with only the valet Jean (Colin Farrell) and the cook Christine (Samatha Morton). As the night approaches, Miss Julie attempts to seduce Jean, leading them down a dangerous path and differences classes will come into play.
Ullmann's return to the screen is by far one of the most glorious and affecting of 2014 and Miss Julie is a work of immense power. Changing the setting from Sweden to Ireland, from the very outset, there is a gloomy shadow cast upon the house where the Baron's power unquestionable. Miss Julie is a person who people continuously wonder about and her recent erratic behaviour is starting to trouble people. Jean however, has no interest at first but as the night unfolds lives are gradually changed forever.
There is a highly charged sexuality to the feel of this movie and through Ullmann's skillful direction, the smallest gestures such as Julie silkily requesting Jean kiss her hand makes gigantic waves. Set largely amongst the mansion kitchen and bedrooms, lust and unrequited desire fill each room to unbearable levels. Jean and Julie are two people feeling trapped in life and this feeling of desperation adds a fantastic simmering tension as the pair are both fighting playing their cards right. But this also leads to trickery on both sides as each uses their sexuality as a weapon for different means and often to devastating effects.
Class position plays a important role and this causes friction throughout Miss Julie. Our heroine is sneered upon by the other servants for being a snobby rich girl. But in one brilliant monologue, we learn that power is not what she desires and she in fact the cruel creation of the differing emotions of her parents and truly, doesn't not know love or happiness. Miss Julie comes across as a caged animal inside a large, empty house who is slowly succumbing to madness. Jean is the definition of the working man and all his life he has looked upon Julie's life with a sense of wonder and scorn and although drawn to his mistresses advances he also feels insulted by them.
Jessica Chastain once again proves that she is one the finest actress around today with an eclectic performance as the forementioned Miss Julie. Her presence on the screen is one of ethereal beauty and sheer fragility and she succeeds in wonderfully bringing to life what is a high complex role. Chastain steals our hearts throughly, particularly during the closing act when Miss Julie is literally brought to her knees in panic and anguish. Expect to see this name again come awards season!
Colin Farrell proves to be a just sparing partner for Miss Chastain and his performance could well be in contention for the big prizes as well. Jean is tricky fox to predict and oozes sexual prowess from every corner. But it is his inner conflict with himself that makes Farrell so memorable as he brings to light Jeans urgency to attain a better life, but fearing stepping outside the servants world because there is nothing else he knows! One of the more underrated big name actors, Farrell hits pay dirt with this part and deserves a large reward.
It may have taken 15 years for her return, but Liv Ullmann's adaptation of Miss Julie is not only destined to be one of TIFF's finest films, but of 2014 as well! This is one piece of work that is incredibly touching but also unbearably heart breaking, it may just be one of the finest bits of work of Ullmann's career! As a man who is practicing to learn Swedish, may I end by saying, Välkommen tillbaka Fröken Ullmann , är det bra att se er igen !
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