It seems strange to say, but ¡°A Quiet Passion,¡± a biopic on American poet Emily Dickinson, feels tailored to Japan¡¯s sensitive side with its emphasis on inner calm and the dynamics of the family circle.
Cynthia Nixon, best known from the HBO series ¡°Sex and the City,¡± plays a Dickinson who delights in the mundane details of life. Director Terence Davies has Nixon recite the poet¡¯s work herself in lieu of a voice-over narrative and the overall portrayal of Dickinson¡¯s story is similar to something you might see in a Yasujiro Ozu film: Strong emotions rise with a gentle arc before dipping and fading out.
It¡¯s hard to believe Nixon, who spewed swear words with such total abandon for a solid six seasons in ¡°Sex and the City,¡± could be capable of such quietude, contemplation and restraint. The film¡¯s production notes state that the actress is a life-long fan of Dickinson¡¯s poetry and that she jumped at the opportunity to play this role. She certainly steps into it with effortless grace.
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