Acclaimed actress Fiona Shaw delivers a powerhouse performance in the new dramedy Park Avenue, a sophisticated exploration of mother-daughter tensions set against the backdrop of upmarket Manhattan.
A Strained Reunion on Park Avenue
The film, directed by Gaby Dellal, introduces us to Kit, played by Shaw, an elegant and wealthy widow residing in her handsome Park Avenue apartment. Known for her witty disdain and poised detachment, Kit is on the verge of publishing a memoir about her life with her late husband, a renowned collector of Chinese art.
Her carefully curated life is disrupted when her grown-up daughter, Charlotte, portrayed by the ever-impressive Katherine Waterston, arrives unexpectedly. Charlotte has left her abusive rancher husband and seeks refuge in her childhood home, intending to stay while she figures out her next move.
Regressing to Old Patterns
The reunion is far from smooth. Charlotte almost instantly regresses to her teenage self, much to the satirically polite dismay of her mother. Kit, with her airy and imperious manner, subtly suggests that Charlotte should perhaps return to her husband and make the marriage work.
As the pair navigate their new living situation, their odd-couple relationship becomes increasingly spiky and intense. Charlotte begins to realise that her mother's haughty detachment and droll mannerisms are a mask for a deeper, hidden pain. The narrative cleverly unfolds the complexities of their bond, revealing long-buried emotions.
An Agreeable New York Spectacle
Park Avenue offers an agreeable and diverting spectacle, complete with classy New York locations that evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the middle period of Woody Allen's films. The movie balances sweetness and melancholy, featuring an interesting cameo from British author Hari Kunzru.
While the film provides plenty of amusement and wry, sophisticated sadness, co-writer and director Gaby Dellal has ultimately created what feels like a somewhat insubstantial, middleweight movie. It's an engaging watch, but it leaves questions about whether all its elements add up to something truly substantial.
A Standout Performance from Fiona Shaw
The undeniable highlight of the film is Fiona Shaw. She finds tremendous form, portraying Kit with a fearless and direct intensity that few actors can match. Her performance is the anchor of the movie, providing depth and nuance to the character's layered personality.
Park Avenue arrives in UK and Irish cinemas from 14 November, offering audiences a chance to witness this wry, sweet, and melancholic look at family and first-world problems, elevated by a masterful lead performance.
