Venice Review: Trace Lysette in Andrea Pallaoro’s ‘Monica’

TransparentTrace Lisette leads the Venice parade monicaIt was directed and co-written by Andrea Palaoro, who returned to Lido after his films. Medeas Y mother.

Set in the United States monica Lisette plays the title character, a trans woman who is called home to care for her dying mother, Eugenia (Patricia Clarkson). The casting gives strong clues about Monica’s birth gender, but the topic is rarely directly addressed; It is quite hidden in the background, sometimes hinting at stories involving children and teasing. Evgenia doesn’t know Monica, confusing her for a rental charity, but as their bond grows, both viewers and Monica begin to wonder how much she really knows about the newcomer.

A delicate portrait of a family relationship with excellent performances in a difficult situation. Clarkson takes a sensitive and characterful turn as his own troubled son and wife, strongly supported by Joshua Close and Emily Browning.

But at the center of the scene is Lisette, who plays a quiet and powerful role as a woman full of complexities: enigmatic in public but vulnerable in private; modest but bright; Affectionate after afar. It’s painful to watch her leave pleading messages for her stray boyfriend who wasn’t there at the right time. Meanwhile, the mother has her own contradictions and worries about being a burden to others, which is true but rarely seen on screen.

She avoids the harrowing details of cancer and home care, focusing instead on the emotional challenges of family and sweet times together, from nostalgic memories to sharing lipstick between Eugenia, Mónica, and nurse/caregiver Leticia (Oscar Adriana Barraza Nominee). Babylon). Whether it’s a long, unspoken moment of love between mother and son or an awkward hug, the movie has a lively touch of feel. There’s also subtle humor built into the movie’s themes: At one point, a child plays pretending to be born, perhaps reminding us that Monica can’t have children of her own.

monica It’s a soft-paced movie that doesn’t carry an obvious emotional punch, but rewards those who invest in the characters and themes. And since the supporting roles cheatIt’s good to see Lisette in a big movie, the first trans actress to make a headline in a movie at a competition in Venice.