Anonymous wrote:Where is everybody getting the idea that this was a Mafia family? Yes they were unruly and intimidating and Will said they were not good people, but kind of a jump to say for sure they were Mafia. Maybe they were just from Queens and kind of overran the town because their family had been there forever.

Thank you, I was starting to feel crazy. They were just a big, loud family with several very aggressive, forceful personalities. There was no mafia activity in the movie so I don’t understand where people are getting this.

Where is everybody getting the idea that this was a Mafia family? Yes they were unruly and intimidating and Will said they were not good people, but kind of a jump to say for sure they were Mafia. Maybe they were just from Queens and kind of overran the town because their family had been there forever.

Anonymous wrote:I am having mixed feelings about this movie. Admittedly, I didn’t read the book. I’m assuming the book went deeper into the dynamics of the tension between Nina’s family and Leda. Can anyone help explain why her family was always glaring at Leda. Why did Lyle tell Leda it was time for her to go home when they were dancing outside and Toni and crew were looking at her?

In an article I read, it said they were more cold to her after she admitted to leaving her daughters for 3 years in the toy store. I think that makes sense, but still seemed weird that it would mean she had to leave the dancing because of them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it implied that she is dying?

I definitely thought she was dying and that the phone call was a dream.

OP here. I read that at first too. I read an article saying it’s meant for interpretation. I guess the book implied that she died but the movie ending with her reassuring her daughters that she was alive while also having a perfect orange in her hand leaves it up to the viewer if she lives or dies.

I really wanted to love this movie for Maggie, but I think it was too deep and intellectual when it didn’t need to be.

Have you seen Gyllenhaal's The Kindergarten Teacher? She stars in it and produced. Another movie based on a book about mothering and child. Lots. Of similar themes.

I think it’s interesting how many people wanted Leda to make more sense than she ever did. The caretaker, Will, etc. It was very clear in the final scene when Nina assumes Leda must have hidden the doll to assist her parenting or protect her in some way. No, Leda just wanted to play with it.

Anonymous wrote:It’s a strange and difficult movie to watch. When I finished it my feeling was a relief. I’m glad it’s over.

It’s bizarre. I can’t explain the doll stealing, dizzy spells, strange behavior with caretaker.

Just watched this. Every interaction was awkward.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is it implied that she is dying?

I definitely thought she was dying and that the phone call was a dream.

OP here. I read that at first too. I read an article saying it’s meant for interpretation. I guess the book implied that she died but the movie ending with her reassuring her daughters that she was alive while also having a perfect orange in her hand leaves it up to the viewer if she lives or dies.

I really wanted to love this movie for Maggie, but I think it was too deep and intellectual when it didn’t need to be.

Anonymous wrote:Leda is the lost daughter

and Nina is the reflection of what Leda once was


the aunt, a motherly spirit who is just now able to be pregnant has all the qualities that are not possessed by an unnatural woman such as Leda/Nina

so that’s the tension Calli V. alike Leda/Nina


Nina cheated on her husband, so is Nina


the suspense of it all was the greek family in the background being “dangerous”

Oh I really like your interpretation of the aunt. As someone struggling with infertility I can definitely relate to that.

Anonymous wrote:Is it implied that she is dying?

I definitely thought she was dying and that the phone call was a dream.

Leda is the lost daughter

and Nina is the reflection of what Leda once was


the aunt, a motherly spirit who is just now able to be pregnant has all the qualities that are not possessed by an unnatural woman such as Leda/Nina

so that’s the tension Calli V. alike Leda/Nina


Nina cheated on her husband, so is Nina


the suspense of it all was the greek family in the background being “dangerous”

I don’t like movies where there’s little dialogue and nothing happens. Wish I would’ve known before I started this movie. I I should’ve just turned it off, but I keep waiting for someone in the family to attack her. So, so boring.

This is a good review, with interesting comments:

https://www.vulture.com/2021/12/the-lost-daughter-movie-review-maggie-gyllenhaal.html#comments

I will admit that while I had issues with this movie it has made me think. I just now "got" the whole thing with the doll, and that's sort of fascinating.

What I find really interesting in the reviews is that there's almost no discussion of the creepy Mafia family. I had a sense of dread throughout most of the whole film, first because I though it was going to address a child's death and then because she was being threatened by all these skeevy guys.

I also can't decide what I think about Peter Skaarsgard being cast in this when his wife was directing. He was perfect in his role, but still. And the fact that he was so perfect in that role is another level of examination.

Anonymous wrote:I think the movie did a good job of portraying how overwhelming and unsatisfying that being the mother of young children can be.

But I also think Leda was particularly unsuited to the role. She was so furious with her daughter for ruining her own beloved doll that she stole a doll 20 years later and was utterly unmoved by that little girl’s anguish. Later she said that she returned to her children because she missed them, not because they missed or needed her.

Yes, but she acknowledges that almost the entire way through. The last thing she says to Nina is I was an unnatural mother or I was never a natural mother.

Anonymous wrote:Sometimes movies/stories only lead us to a place and then leave us there with our own thoughts.

From a NYT review:

"It is, instead, a dark and deeply disturbing exploration of something much more raw, and even radical: the notion that motherhood can plunder the self in irreparable ways."

Yes, the movie has made me think a lot about my own experience as a mother and my sense of self.

I think the movie did a good job of portraying how overwhelming and unsatisfying that being the mother of young children can be.

But I also think Leda was particularly unsuited to the role. She was so furious with her daughter for ruining her own beloved doll that she stole a doll 20 years later and was utterly unmoved by that little girl’s anguish. Later she said that she returned to her children because she missed them, not because they missed or needed her.