Alex is a determined college rower who is always pushing herself to be the best. She is a sweaty mess in certain scenes, but she never gives up on her dreams.
In recent years, there has been a trend of films focusing on people who are pushed to their limits by their passion or need for success. These films often have a unique and powerful story that is sure to leave an impression on viewers. Comparisons can be made to Black Swan and Whiplash, which both focused on people who were consumed by their need to excel. There are hundreds of sporting movies out there that center on protagonists with the same need.
Alex is a strange character who is not driven by her passion in any of her chosen professions. She is somebody who has to excel in everything she does, for reasons that are psychological rather than for enjoyment or anything career-enhancing. It’s never made abundantly clear why Alex is the way she is and this makes it hard to root for her.
This film is not about an underdog story; in fact, Alex is not even from a poor family. She was born into a wealthy family, but something inside her caused her to become an outcast. This film is about the dangers of mental illness and how it can impact our lives in ways we never thought possible.
The Novice is a fine film. Lauren Hadaway, making her feature-length debut here, is adept at capturing every agonized expression on Alex’s face as well as the wider shots of her rowing. The camerawork is excellent, with scenes on the water that are sometimes beautiful to behold, despite the sight of our protagonist sweating and grimacing as she pushes her body beyond the thresholds of pain. ..
Fuhrman gives a terrific performance as the troubled student, finally getting the role she deserves after years of starring in films that have failed to make much of an impact post-Orphan, the horror title that she was previously most well known for. She won Best Actress accolades at both the Tribeca Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards for The Novice, and deservedly so, as she doesn’t hit one false note (her character would approve) in this punishing drama.
Despite its strengths, I found “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” to be a somewhat uneven film. I appreciated the skill and talent of the filmmakers, as well as the performances of those involved, but I would have liked to have known more about Alex and her motivations. There wasn’t much room for narrative progression, either in terms of plot or character development. ..
Despite these misgivings, I can still recommend the film, even if you have never rowed a boat or tried to excel at anything in your life. Fuhrman’s performance is great, the strenuous rowing scenes are a highlight, and the eclectic soundtrack adds to the film’s haunting atmosphere. With all of these things in place, you should still cross the finish line feeling fairly satisfied when it’s all over, even if you still have questions about Alex and the impulses that drove her. ..
