Shadows on the Wall

The Debut

Review by Rich Cline | MUST SEE

dir-scr Jesse Eisenberg
prd Emma Stone, Dave McCary, Ali Herting, Jesse Eisenberg
with Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey, K Todd Freeman, Bernadette Peters, Eldar Isgandarov, Susan Blommaert, Colton Ryan, Jesse Eisenberg, Patrick Fabian, Cara Buono, Craig Bierko
release US 11.Dec.26,
UK 15.Jan.27
26/US A24 1h45

TORONTO FILM FEST

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Bracingly well written, this comedy takes the audience on a jagged odyssey through the quirky world of community theatre, with Julianne Moore in a fabulous role as a timid housewife who transforms herself over the course of the narrative. We also can't stop laughing at writer-director Jesse Eisenberg's clever wordplay, witty references and hilariously awkward characters. And there is also something darkly serious going on between the lines.

In New Jersey, Mona (Moore) is largely ignored by her husband (Fabian) and kids, so she auditions on a whim for a local production of the musical Nosy Neighbors. Then the company's usual star Serena (Peters) drops out, and tetchy director Jerry (Giamatti) offers Mona the role. The cast and crew welcome her with open arms, from leading lady Stef (Bailey) to backstage assistant Piotr (Isgandarov). But Jerry quickly realises that he must do some extra work with Mona. She takes all of this very seriously, ultimately going full method to get the character right.

Opening with a witty cameo from stage icon Peters, the film's tone is heightened from the start, as the actors lean into their characters' sparkier personality traits. This creates amusing currents that run through all of the interaction, as ripples of earnest curiosity slip alongside edgy cynicism. Everyone in this plucky company is trying to put on the best show possible, but Mona is like the odd one out, far too overeager as she struggles to find her voice.

It's a particularly juicy role for Moore, who has a lot of fun with the naively optimistic Mona in the earlier scenes, especially as she maintains a weak smile while being casually dismissed by her family and friends. And Moore digs exponentially further as Mona's journey takes her to some riotously unnerving places, leaving her unrecognisable. Her interaction with the wonderfully layered Giamatti's flustered director fuels the film, as Jerry seeks ways to inspire the actor inside Mona.

As a writer, director, composer and costar, Eisenberg is playfully exploring the creative arts, both poking fun at and celebrating everything from the Method to the authority of the playwright's words, plus of course what it means to be a theatre family. The screenplay continually peels back layers on these characters, revealing underlying motivations in the past and present. And watching Mona discover her power, whether or not it's healthy, is wickedly inspiring.

themes, language 18.Oct.26 lff

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