American Woman

UK Release Date. 11 October 2019
Certification. 15
Running Time. 1 hour 51 mins
Director. Jake Scott
Cast. Sky Ferreira, Christina Hendricks, Amy Madigan, Sienna Miller, Aaron Paul, Will Sasso.
Rating. 71%

Review.

In an unnamed semi-rural, Pennsylvanian town three generations of women struggle to survive the everyday hardships that are not unusual in any blue-collar neighbourhood in the Midwest where opportunities are few and far between.

The focal point of American Woman is Debra Callahan (Sienna Miller), a one-time, good-time girl and 32-year-old single mother - strike that, grandmother - with a tempestuous past dominated by cruel, abusive, good-for-nothing men. She is flanked by her sister, Katherine (Christina Hendricks), her mother, Peggy (Amy Madigan) and her 16-year-old daughter, Bridget (Sky Ferreira). 

The film is carefully and lovingly directed by Jake Scott, son of Ridley Scott. Primarily known for his production of music videos, Scott's third full-length feature film follows on from Plunkett & Macleane (1999) and Welcome To The Rileys (2010). Scott, who co-wrote the poignant and powerful screenplay with Brad Ingelsby, almost nurtures the film to fruition.

But American Woman is Sienna Miller's film. This is her showcase. In a brave, unapologetic, no-frills portrayal, Miller produces a towering performance amidst moments of high domestic melodrama. You can't take your eyes off her. She is simply superb in what must surely be the greatest role of her career.

This bleak domestic drama of working-class existence in the Rust Belt evokes comparisons with Barbara Loden's Wanda (and to a lesser extent Sabrina Doyle's Lorelei). Both provide an interesting point of comparison in terms of their narrative - both are less ambitious than American Woman, but all three feel absolutely authentic in terms of place, character and behaviour. 

Whilst American Woman catalogues the years of pain and disappointment, the film also celebrates the gradual, triumphant empowerment of an abused woman. This is Miller's masterstroke - reinventing her character in the shadow of her own salvation and finally, potentially finding some semblance of peace.