Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: I'M YOUR WOMAN [AFI Fest 2020 - Virtual]

The intention of period piece is to understand the impact on its characters and their reaction to stimuli. In this way, "I'm Your Woman" which stars Rachel Brosnahan of "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" fame, is an interesting move. It is a film from a first time female director and there is a sense of intention but one where the lead character basks almost in her ignorance until she is confronted not to. Like Karen in "Goodfellas" but much less worldly, Jeane's life seem stilted but comfortable. Her husband loves her yet she knows that he is a criminal. We are never given a full view of what he is up to but by placing Jean at the center and adding a baby to the mix, it becomes an interesting mix of genres. The only issue is that at times it doesn't know what it wants to be. Like "the Kitchen", there are stylistic flourishes at different points in the film that are borderline brilliant but aren't thoroughly consistent. Brosnahan works herself different in the role on purpose to show the difference in a character from "Maisel". Jean doesn't talk fast. She pointedly asks question but rarely and with trepidation. She is not brazen and she is not methodical but her instincts get better. She is not a person used to taking care of herself. She ends up embroiled with another person who worked with her husband who protects her and yet more goes on below the surface. His wife shows up which adds another layer. But it is when Jean needs to peel back the blinders that the film starts to work. One specific scene through a hallway back and forth from a specific POV gives the harrowing feeling and being in the 70s you can guess the texture of the club. That said, even though Amazon is known for having the money to license music, the filmmaker decided to use two very specific Aretha Franklin songs and there is one soul instrumental where one can't tell if it was written today or then. What it does do is completely set the pace at one point which is where the movie gets part of its flow. Director Julie Hart also has enough confidence to let the camera sit on her actors, especially Brosnahan. Though the performance is not absolutely out of the park, it is effective and nuanced though at times you can see the cracks and the effort being made. The blonde hair and 70s era outfits completely the idea of transformation in Brosnahan. This is not "Fargo" but it does reflect the mid-range pictures that used to be commonplace in Hollywood. And the streamers know that can be its bread and butter. Pittsburgh too takes a great role in the film creating that 70s angle and vibe without saying "Here I am!" That said as "I'm Your Woman" moves towards its conclusion, it does take risks creating a brutal but riveting sequence at the end that although budgetarily constrained does relate a grittiness. The title itself is an odd one as it means different things but doesn't truly explain the intent of the film. "I'm your Woman" though seems to know what it is and doesn't shy away from its identity.B-

By Tim Wassberg