The Lacemaker

This film is evidently about how François, a young intellectual, does not understand Beatrice, a quiet, simple virgin. It seems to me the film doesn’t begin to understand such a woman, either.

If this film had been done properly, it would have fit my definition of a good horror movie. I like films that demonstrate how society writ large can destabilize, unhinge, and eventually institionalize women. I don’t really like films in which one bad love affair is shown to do the same.

The film misses opportunities all over the place. For example: if virginity is going to be a major theme, and you’re not shying away from nudity in the least, why on earth would you cut away from the start of the first love scene? Isn’t that integral to the plot, how she might handle it? As simple and earthy as she may be, I don’t then believe she transitions so cleanly into a sexual lifestyle. Who is this woman? François doesn’t know, and neither does Goretta. She is a cipher.

(Spoiler – but I spoil the strangest things) WTF was that ending? Is it supposed to be shocking, revealing, touching? Are we supposed to be like, “WHOA, she went to Greece in a POSTER and LOOK, she’s MAKING LACE!” Seriously. WTF. (No one knows what I’m talking about.)