The COVID-19 pandemic has changed a lot, but what Icelandic film director Silja Hauksdóttir proves with Agnes Joy is that no pandemic will ever change the motherly love that all mothers have for their kids and how the subject of growing up brings up emotions for any parent.
Agnes Joy is a fabulous movie that explores in depth the themes of motherhood and family. The film revolves around the rocky relationship between Rannveig (Katla M. Þorgeirsdóttir) and her rebellious teenage daughter Agnes (Donna Cruz). Throughout the movie, Rannveig is suffering through a very dark time in her life: she’s stuck in a dead-end job that she hates, her marriage is rapidly falling apart, and she’s having worsening battles with Agnes about her reckless behaviour. Things take a turn for the worse when an actor named Hreinn (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson) moves in next door from them and Rannveig becomes very taken with him.
The main thing that truly makes this film a great experience are the wonderful performances by its lead actors. Þorgeirsdóttir turns in a beautiful performance so good that we barely even needed the subtitles—all the audience need to know about how that character feels is in her eyes; this is a truly masterful performance.
Cruz also turns in an invigorating performance. Some of the all-time classic movie roles are by performers that oppose the lead actors’ characters. Think J.K. Simmons as the explosive high-school band teacher in Whiplash, or Jack Nicholson’s impactful and raw performance in A Few Good Men. What Cruz does with her character is a truly great performance worthy of a spot on that list.
Victoria Film Festival
Online, February 5 to 14
Various prices
victoriafilmfestival.com