Monica (2023)
87%RT Audience Score: 87%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Monica, a film that explores the complexities of grief, family, and reconciliation, has received mixed reviews from critics. While some have praised the film’s nuanced performances and refusal to conform to conventional storytelling, others have criticized its slow pace and pretentious cinematography. However, as a highly intelligent and verbose critic, I must say that Monica is a tender character study that delicately navigates the struggles of the transgender community within the context of family. Director Andrea Pallaoro’s restraint in storytelling allows for the performances of Lysette and Clarkson to shine, creating a unique and universal experience that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. While some may find the film slow-moving, its deliberate pace allows for a deeper exploration of the themes at hand. Overall, Monica is a beautifully crafted film that deserves recognition for its poignant portrayal of the human experience.
Monica is a movie that will make you feel all the feels. It’s a heartwarming story about family, grief, and acceptance. The performances are top-notch, and the direction is subtle yet effective. Sure, it may be a bit slow-moving, but that’s just because it wants you to savor every moment. And let’s be real, we could all use a little more savoring in our lives. So grab some tissues and get ready to be moved by this beautiful film.
Production Company(ies)
LGBTQ Stories, VOD
Distributor
IFC Films
Release Type
Streaming, Theatrical, Theatrical (Limited)
Filming Location(s)
SHOOT LOCATION(S):
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States; Ohio, United States
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2023
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 54m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:NA
Genre(s)
Drama
Keyword(s)
starring Trace Lysette, Patricia Clarkson, Adriana Barraza, Emily Browning, Joshua Close, Brittany Picard, directed by Andrea Pallaoro, written by Andrea Pallaoro, Orlando Tirado, drama, R rating, box office gross $27.9K, IFC Films, Alacran Pictures, Propaganda Italia, Varient, Melograno Films, Solo Five Productions, Fenix Entertainment, reviewed by Mark Jenkins, Tracy Brown, Peter Sobczynski, Teo Bugbee, Randy Myers, Niko Stratis, Murjani Rawls, Wade Major, Mike McGranaghan, Mike Scott, Todd Jorgenson, trans story, family drama, aging, abandonment, reconciliation, forgiveness, acceptance, courage, pain, fear, cognitive look, human condition, Dolby Digital, Gina Resnick, Christina Dow, Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, produced by Andrea Pallaoro, Monica.
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $7,500,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $7,500,000
Production budget ranking: 1,767
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $4,038,750
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Patricia Clarkson – Eugenia
Adriana Barraza – Leticia
Emily Browning – Laura
Joshua Close – Paul
Brittany Picard – Mother
Director – Andrea Pallaoro
Producers – Gina Resnick, Christina Dow, Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, Andrea Pallaoro
Writers – Andrea Pallaoro, Orlando Tirado
Production Companies – Alacran Pictures, Propaganda Italia, Varient, Melograno Films, Solo Five Productions, Fenix Entertainment
Sound Mix – Dolby Digital
Director(s)
NA
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Venice
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (32) | Top Critics (14) | Fresh (27) | Rotten (5)
Monica is moody, slow-moving and stronger on style than characterization, yet Lysette and Clarkson endow it with feeling.
May 17, 2023 | Rating: 2.5/4
Mark Jenkins
Washington Post
TOP CRITIC
Monica is an intimate look at the complexity of grief, reconciliation and family.
May 15, 2023
Tracy Brown
Los Angeles Times
TOP CRITIC
A quiet, heartfelt, and beautifully nuanced drama that feels unique and universal.
May 12, 2023 | Rating: 4/4
Peter Sobczynski
RogerEbert.com
TOP CRITIC
Director Andrea Pallaoro doesn’t burden this delicate tale of reconciliation with long monologues or extensive back stories, and the performances are compelling in their restraint.
May 11, 2023
Teo Bugbee
New York Times
TOP CRITIC
Pallaoro refuses to tell this story, co-written by Orlando Tirado, in a conventional and tidy movie-of-the-week manner, which is evident even in the framing of individual shots where main character’s faces are sometimes cut off.
May 11, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Randy Myers
San Jose Mercury News
TOP CRITIC
Placing a uniquely trans story in the center of a well-worn road creates a path to a new sentiment to be granted to a tale that many people have and will face in their life.
May 8, 2023
Niko Stratis
Autostraddle
TOP CRITIC
There’s no need for the shock to be at the forefront – especially given so many instances centering around trans stories that based themselves on the cruelty of the world in which they exist. Beauty also exists, and it’s what ‘Monica’ makes room for. May 18, 2023
Murjani Rawls
Draftkings Nation
Pretentiously photographed, which takes away from the performances.
May 18, 2023
Wade Major
FilmWeek (KPCC – NPR Los Angeles)
Monica is the kind of picture that builds empathy by depicting a few of the issues members of the transgender community face within their families.
May 17, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat
At its most basic, Monica is soft sigh of a movie, a tender character study built around smartly constructed moments.
May 15, 2023 | Rating: 3/4
Mike Scott
Times-Picayune
Familiar themes of acceptance and reconciliation are given fresh relevance in this deliberately paced but quietly powerful family drama.
May 13, 2023
Todd Jorgenson
Cinemalogue
Pallardo’s film has such stringent narrative goals, yet proceeds nowhere and with nothing. Its vague and enervating plot purports to signify profundity, but only accomplishes the desultory.
May 12, 2023
Zachary Goldkind
In Review Online…
Plot
Monica returns home to the Midwest to care for her ailing mother, and through themes of abandonment, aging, rejection, acceptance, and forgiveness, we get to know Monica and her world in the emotionally resonant drama, Monica.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Rotten Tomatoes doesn’t say anything goofy or funny or odd about the film Monica.
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