Queen of Hearts (2019)
This film gained some attention for being controversial with its narrative about a mature woman having a sexual affair with her young stepson, and rightful praise for especially Trine Dyrholm’s leading performance. She just attracts interesting good roles. I found the film to be an unconformable depiction of a someone having to live with the guilt and consequences of her terribly selfish actions, but honestly it wasn’t really that shocking or taboo breaking. Having explicit sex scenes doesn’t constitutes as challenging ones world view about a taboo. There isn’t any ambiguity, doubt or much to really provoke my way of thinking. Like a light version of The Piano Teacher. To be fair, that doesn’t make it bad, I just think it sets itself up for something it doesn’t dare go all in on. I think it doesn’t go far enough. Dyrholm does deserve praise for her performance, with how her professional succesful career as a lawyer working for victims of abuse (like rape victims and children with abusive parents), is being shattered by her own lack of sexual control and entitlement. As someone who should know better failing to take responsibility for the harm she inflicts. The films ambition doesn’t seem to be thought provoking, but a clear depiction of power abuse, which I can respect that it succeeds in that, I just don’t think it is that interesting to see play out.
Rating: 3.5