What Maisie Knew Review

What Maisie Knew

4 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

What Maisie Knew is a devastating masterpiece, a film that is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished child-centered films I've ever seen.

What Maisie Knew is a contemporary reimagining of Henry James' 1897 novel of the same name. We are introduced to the sweet and innocent Maisie (Onata Aprile). We are never given her age, but it seems likely that she's around 6 or 7 years old. Her mother is the bitter and immature Susanna (Julianne Moore). Her father is the negligent and distracted Beale (Steve Coogan). Susanna and Beale might be some of the worst cinematic parents in recent memory. They curse and yell in front of their daughter. They are nothing but horrific monsters. The couple ends up separating. Susanna meets and marries the warmhearted Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgard), while Beale marries Margo (Joanna Vanderham), Maisie's beloved nanny. The film follows Maisie as she moves from place to place, not knowing where she'll go or what the future might hold. She learns about her parents, her parents' new spouses, and herself, as she attempts to find her place in the world.

What Maisie Knew could have turned into a melodramatic slog. After all, the story might sound a little bit soapy to you. However, those turned off by the premise of this custody battle divorce drama should not fear because co-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel approach the film in a completely surprising fashion -- with subtlety and grace. The fights/verbal arguments are not overblown. The twists and turns are not meant to shock you with drama. What Maisie Knew simply breathes and tells the audience a fantastic story. McGehee and Siegel present everything through Maisie's eyes, so that the audience empathizes with Maisie. When Maisie walks away from her parents when they're screaming at each other, the camera follows her, and the dialogue drowns out. Just as Maisie doesn't want to be in such a tough environment, we are also forced to leave with her. We don't get to hear how the rest of the parents' argument pans out. It's such a difficult feat to pull off a film completely from a child's perspective, and yet, McGehee and Siegel do it masterfully. It's refreshing to see a movie that doesn't force its audience to feel one thing or another. The film doesn't take sides and doesn't favor one character over another. Maisie's world feels so natural and realistic because of the co-directors' quiet and nuanced approach. It makes the film all the more effective.

Just because this film is incredibly sad -- without trying -- doesn't mean it lacks beautiful, joyous moments. What Maisie Knew is filled with some wondrous sequences that perfectly capture a child's hopes, dreams, and desires. For example, the scenes where Maisie bonds with Lincoln are so heartfelt and so gorgeous that I couldn't help but smile. At times, these happy moments are even chill-inducing. The story balances the sad with the happy, darkness with light. Just like life is filled with ups and downs, so this film balances emotion as a delicate yet rich subject. 

Because this film is told completely from Maisie's perspective, it was important for the filmmakers to choose the perfect little actress for this extremely challenging role. In the hands of the wrong actress, the whole film could have fallen apart. And thankfully, the filmmakers chose one of the most talented newcomers in Hollywood, Onata Aprile. Onata is simply outstanding. Not only is she adorable, but she conveys so much emotion with so few words. Her features soft, her face emotive, and her eyes expressive, Onata proves that acting can be more powerful when silent and reflective. The fact that she is so young is jaw-dropping. This is the finest child performance I've seen since Quvenzhane Wallis' impressive turn in Beasts of the Southern Wild. Onata deserves an Oscar nomination.

What's a good central performance if the supporting performances are poor? Fortunately, What Maisie Knew boasts an astounding dream cast. You won't believe how nasty Julianne Moore is in this role. She is terrifyingly brilliant because she makes Susanna the most repugnant mother in ages. Steve Coogan is wonderful with his rather complex character. He understands conflict and expresses it naturally. Newcomer Joanna Vanderham gives a performance that is so lovely that you can't help but feel for her with each frame. And last but not least, Alexander Skarsgard gives one of his best performances as Lincoln. It's a rather unconventional choice for him to play this naive and boyish softie. However, Skarsgard still maintains his signature magnetism that makes him such a compelling on-screen presence. He radiates both charm and anguish, and it's such a sensation to behold. 

What Maisie Knew is an extraordinary film that broke and uplifted my heart. It left such a lasting impression upon me that I couldn't stop thinking about it for days. I can't remember the last time I've seen such an emotional film that was as perfect as What Maisie Knew. Four stars out of four.