Attachment film evaluation & movie abstract (2023)

Maja goes with Leah to her dwelling in London, which is in the identical constructing and upstairs from her mom, the apprehensive Chana (Sofie Gråbøl). Issues are a little bit off with Chana—she’s mighty pushy about taking good care of Leah and in addition has a number of unusual items of Jewish iconography hidden round the home. It doesn’t assist how Chana all the time has such a grave, wounded look on her face. And when Leah ventures outdoors the condo to study extra about these Jewish symbols from a person named Lev (David Dencik)—who so occurs to be Leah’s uncle—Maja is chastised. Lev is advised by Chana not to discuss this stuff. 

Might this be a case of Munchausen syndrome? To its credit score, Gisalson doesn’t let the viewer off the hook so simply. His script has a number of surprises for viewers who could also be intrigued by its story and its solely barely spooky visuals (candles that gentle up on their very own), which ends up in a extra easy third act constructed round some freaky appearing. However “Attachment” is simply far too drawn out for one thing that ditches its humorousness halfway by means of, doesn’t decide its essential concern for a very long time, and will get tremendous sluggish each time it wants to elucidate itself. “Attachment” very a lot desires to set its horror inside Jewish mythology and Extremely-Orthodox life, and but this particular selection all the time creates an exposition overload, which has a extra distancing than inclusive impact. 

In sure slivers, “Attachment” is stronger as a rumination on the extra common worries of a relationship—while you study that it has private connections (Gisalson wrote the script for Park, based mostly on components of her life), it makes extra sense. The scariest story right here is then saved for what occurred to Leah’s father, revealed early on. Chana wasn’t initially Extremely-Orthodox: her ex-husband introduced her into the group, had her transformed, and disappeared. She nonetheless clings to this non secular way of life like denial, whereas her sense of self has vanished. A giant danger of loving somebody is the prospect that they will change who they’re, and go away with heartbreak. “Attachment” will get at that with Gråbøl’s disturbing dramatic work, mirrored poignantly by Maja’s gradual concern as she learns simply who or what she’s getting nearer with. It’s a nasty conundrum, particularly when codependency feels just like the safety we wish most. 

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