52 Films by Women Vol 2. 38. WAKEFIELD (Director: Robin Swicord)
Wakefield , adapted from a short story by Edgar (E.L.) Doctorow by the writer-director Robin Swicord offers a profound study of masculinity in crisis. It tells the story of a middle-aged, New York City lawyer Howard Wakefield (Bryan Cranston) who decides one day not to go home. Instead, he moves into the garage opposite, observing the effect of his absence from a distance. Swicord films the drama entirely from Howard’s point of view. We can see, but not hear, his family. Instead, there is an over-reliance on voiceover. In the interest of full disclosure, voiceover is one of my least favourite filmic shortcuts in movies. At its worst, it negates the image and tells us what to think. However, this is premium voiceover. Howard is an intelligent, articulate if unlikeable man and Doctorow is a terrific writer. The film takes us to a place we have not seen before. Imagine a version of It’s A Wonderful Life in which Jimmy Stewart’s character snarls and curses his family after his death...