Janet Planet is a Quirky and Melancholic Debut

A24

4/5 stars

Janet Planet, the debut film of Pulitzer-winning playwright Annie Baker is, at its heart, a love story. Although in this instance, that love is one between mother and daughter and the evolution of their relationship as adolescence approaches. It is a simple but quietly profound film of connection and disconnection, the beginnings and endings of relationships, and the unique pains of getting older. It is also one of the most fascinating films released this summer.

In the summer of 1991, 11-year-old Lacey (Zoe Ziegler) lives with her free-spirit mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson) in rural western Massachusetts. Lacey is a bit of a lonely girl, living in her own imagination and finding solace in the close relationship with her mother. However, her feelings change through the summer as various people come into Janet's orbit, revealing to Lacey for the first time the differences between them.

Baker herself has described the film as being about "falling out of love with your mother," but that may be seen as a little too dramatic. It could also be seen as the first time one views a parent beyond the idealized gaze of childhood and how this new perspective shines a mirror on oneself.

Janet and Lacey share a deep connection and Baker emphasizes this with some ingenious blocking and use of match-cut editing. Seeing a parent's flaws and faults is a difficult part of growing up but important in understanding of one's own values. Baker presents this universal truth with a kind of bittersweet optimism, making her film one of the most lived-in and humanistic of the year. Janet Planet is currently playing in select theaters and will be available on VOD on Sept. 1. 

Written and directed by Annie Baker // Starring Zoe Ziegler, Julianne Nicholson, Sophie Okonedo, Will Patton, June Walker Grossman, Abby Harri, Edie Moon Kearns, Mary Beth Brooker, Mary Shultz, and Elias Koteas // A24 // 113 minutes // Rated PG-13