The World to Come

Against the warmest 19th century colour, when being yourself was forbidden, a relationship begins but is thwarted, with fossil control and dominance reinstated. Two great performances from Katherine Waterstone and Vanessa Kirby amplified through the acute and sensitive direction of Mona Fastvold.

On the surface this might seem to be a story about two repressed lesbians, but it is so much more than that. It is hard for us today to relate to how it was in the mid 1800s. A man married a woman so she could give him children, she could do daily chores, like milk the cow and feed the pigs and chickens. They had none of the conveniences we take for granted, any entertainment had to come from within.

This is a story spanning about the first nine months of the year 1856. Of two young couples, each working nearby farms. One had a 4-yr-old child that became sick and died. The other couple were unable to have children and the man blamed it on his wife.

So although each wife was attractive, capable, and smart the husbands came to be less and less happy with them. The two young wives found happiness being with each other, sharing thoughts and emotions they could not with their husbands. A way to bring some light into their dreary days.

Yes, when it was all done one might say they were lesbians. Or maybe they were just forced into an attraction and hidden relationship that was their only choice in this bleak existence. No matter it is a good movie and I prefer to look at it as making the best of your situation.

On DVD from my public library, my wife chose to skip.

Thoroughly enjoyed this film; the lead actors captured the essence and brought same to the screen. That said, I found arguably more revealing the pathetically shallow "reviews" that captured so well their bigotry. Wow - thought we were moving beyond.

The World To Come: Life was bleak and hard in 1856 in Upstate New York, rocky fields, sheep, (could be Connemara), chickens. Life was lonely for women, but here a relationship develops between two women which goes beyond friendship. Tragedy results but the unfolding of the narrative is moving. A tale of love, separation, hardship, patriarchy and it's discontents. Directed by Mona Fastvold from a Screenplay by Ron Hansen and Jim Shepard. 8/10.

This is much more of a period romance done right: it´s an excellent one. A movie that lives up the expectations thanks to striking performances, great score and really good direction. A superb work!