100 minutes, Italian & French Drama with English Subtitles, M

THE WAIT uses two works by the late Luigi Pirandello, tragedy “The Life I Gave You” (La Vita Che Ti Diedi) and short story “La camera in attesa”, to tie its story together, in Piero Messina’s directorial debut feature. Starring Juliette Binoche as Anna, a Sicilian Mother who is awaiting her son’s return home. Unexpectedly arriving from Paris is Jeanne (an impressive Lou De Laage), who is the French girlfriend of Anna’s son. With the two women having never previously met before, they engage in conversation getting to know one another. It is soon realised that someone is harbouring a damaging secret.

This absorbing film elects to encourage questions and provoke thought from its audience surrounding the actions & behaviours of its lead characters, rather than keep its secret privy from us, after being revealed very early into the piece. For most part, it holds up very solidly indeed, largely due to the captivating lead performances of Binoche and Laage. Where it does stumble is in its writing, about two thirds of the way through and as a result, the film does lose some of its momentum. Exactly what is being communicated on a thematic level isn’t always as clear as the writers would hope, but along with the strong acting performances is a rich atmospheric score throughout and a couple of subtle, yet distinctive and effective touches during the finale that make THE WAIT worth the wait.

3 out of 5

THE WAIT – Film Trailer

Footnote to Parents
Rated M – containing mature themes and brief nudity

Review by Moviedoc
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