Actress Marion Cotillard, plays Ewa, a beautiful young Polish woman who is looking for happiness and a fresh new start in America with her sister. Unfortunately, Ewa’s dream is quickly snatched from her when she meets trouble with the authorities. She is then separated from her sister and threatened to be deported.
Joaquin Phoenix, who plays Bruno, comes to Ewa’s rescue, offers her a way out and promises to reunite her with her sister. Bruno quickly introduces Ewa to the world of prostitution and teaches her the value of money in the crudest way possible.
Ewa’s beauty takes on a character of its own as the director, James Gray, shows the audience how her beauty is her blessing, as well as her curse. The entire film is centred on her and her plight for survival in an ugly world of lies and corruption.
The movie is shot beautifully and the cinematography is reminiscent of the 1920s era of artistic expression and social change.
This 1920s American drama is a sad, but heartfelt, story of a woman whose life takes a turn for the worst, but she strives to survive.
The movie will be in South African cinemas nationwide from 24 October.
