Amy Adams Navigates Addiction and Family Bonds in Kornél Mundruczó’s Thought-Provoking Drama at the Berlin Film Festival
Kornél Mundruczó’s latest film, At the Sea, serves as the middle entry in a loose triptych that began with Pieces of a Woman in 2020. The latter earned Vanessa Kirby an Oscar nomination. The upcoming film, A Place to Be, features Ellen Burstyn and Pamela Anderson. Together, these works explore personal crises faced by women at different life stages: early adulthood, midlife, and older age.
The plot of At the Sea centers on Laura, portrayed by Amy Adams, who struggles to maintain her roles as a wife, mother, and daughter after a tragic drunk-driving accident involving her son Felix. Once a prominent ballerina and the face of her father’s dance company, Laura’s descent into alcoholism is attributed to familial turmoil and the pressure of her father’s expectations. Her journey begins as she completes her exit interview at a rehabilitation facility, vowing never to return.
Returning home to Cape Cod after six months, Laura discovers her relationships have deteriorated. Her husband, Martin, played by Murray Bartlett, feels resentment over her absence and the chaos she brought to their lives. Meanwhile, her teenage daughter, Josie, takes on more responsibility for her younger brother Felix during Laura’s absence, leading to tension and anger directed at her mother. As Laura attempts to regain her identity, she grapples with the challenge of understanding herself amidst the roles she has tried to fulfill.
However, the film employs an unconventional narrative device: interpretive dance. This artistic choice, rather than smooth dialogue, often disrupts the flow of storytelling, making it feel gimmicky instead of impactful. While Mundruczó and co-writer Kata Weber may have sought to create a unique experience, the transitions from conversation to dance frequently pull the audience out of the narrative.
Adams is well-cast as Laura, drawing on her previous performances in similarly intense roles. Her portrayal bears comparison to her work in Nightbitch, where she navigated her own crisis as a new mother. Despite her authentic performance, some viewers may struggle to reconcile her character’s past as a top dancer with the current portrayal of her struggles.
The supporting cast includes actors like Dan Levy, Rainn Wilson, and Jenny Slate, who are generally known for their comedic roles. Their presence in a serious drama raises questions about the suitability of their casting. While Bartlett convincingly portrays a frustrated husband, and East’s Josie provides emotional depth, some scenes come off as awkward, such as a volatile ballet sequence intended to convey Josie’s anger.
At the Sea marks Mundruczó’s most recent English-language endeavor, but unfortunately falls short of the impact of his previous works, including the acclaimed Pieces of a Woman and the award-winning White God. This latest film, even with a talented lead like Adams, echoes familiar Hollywood melodramas that better emerged in the 1950s.
The film is produced by a team that includes Alexander Rodnyansky, Aaron Ryder, and Stuart Manashil, among others.
Title: At the Sea
Festival: Berlin (Competition)
Director: Kornél Mundruczó
Screenplay: Kata Weber
Cast: Amy Adams, Murray Bartlett, Chloe East, Brett Goldstein, Dan Levy, Redding Munsell, Jenny Slate, Rainn Wilson
Sales Agents: WME Independent (U.S.); MK2 Films (International)
Running Time: 1 hr 55 mins
