Movie Review: Sally Hawkins Shows Love Is The “Eternal Beauty”
Sally Hawkins is one of the best actresses of our time, and Eternal Beauty furthers her ability to play the strength of humanity is in its fragility. Playing Jane, Hawkins displays that you really do adapt and learn to carry your wounds. Thus, her love story with David Thewlis’ Mike becomes as charming and enveloping as Benny and Joon; two people whose mental illness was not a deterrent to their love but the people around them certainly could be. Yet, directed and written by Craig Roberts, Eternal Beauty fits in with a giant theme of modern times: self-love.
Everyone struggles to be happy, but some people do need medication and doctors for help like Jane for her depression and schizophrenia. THERE IS NO SHAME IN THAT, except from the ones others that make you feel ashamed and, at times, yourself. For Jane, there is a persistent wonder and guilt at not being able to make herself happy without the “assistance” of pills and psychiatrists. The curiosity of knowing what is happiness if “pure,” untouched and clearly summoned from her in a moment, places her on a journey of love, healing, and the rough, emotional confrontations that spur both. Naturally, Hawkins soars at showing humanity is a constant for those with a good heart even if with a mind that betrays.
Eternal Beauty – North American Trailer
There is an element of magical realism to Eternal Beauty. With fantasy flashbacks, and a mysticism in its cinematography, lighting, and soundtrack, it all seems meant to make Jane’s journey of self-reflection and realization come off like a fable: a cautionary tale on what makes love and joy “genuine.” Both Jane and Thewlis’ Mike try to figure that out in contrast to a world that doesn’t believe they can fall for each other, due to their mental health struggles, and their belief goes through its own rollercoaster, as well. They fall so fast and beautifully for the other, and the film makes it feel like in a magical second they are making a band and moving in with each other. Yet, they are so charming, sweet, and eager to connect on a deep, spiritual level that, in some ways, their love challenges surrounding family members to question their own.
Alice Lowe plays Alice so sweetly; Jane’s caring protective sister. She has always watched and protected Jane from their mother’s abuse, Penelope Wilton as a ferocious Vivian, and guarded her from the vanity and respite of their other sister, Billie Piper as a vicious Nicola. Yet, she Alice is stuck in a loveless marriage, when betrayal strikes her and Jane through their prospective partners, no one can protect Jane from herself. Hence, the film becomes so poignant; life has no mercy even for the most vulnerable, but the most vulnerable can still teach mercy to life. Jane humbles those around her, not because they patronize or punish her for her mental illness, but because she still rises and loves, despite the crippling of her delusions and depression. Thus, Hawkins makes Jane an example that no matter how hard it is to heal, you can do it. Eternal Beauty Comes Out In VOD On October 2.
