Everyone knows someone like Sadie, the character played by Jennifer Jason Leigh in "Georgia". She is completely unable to fulfill herself; and blames her own self-loathing on the people who love her most. Leigh's acting out of Sadie's behavior is so convincing it's painful to watch.
Sadie is a singer talented enough to get jobs with bands in nightclubs, while her sister, Georgia (played by Mare Winningham), seems to have a perfect career as a gifted folk singer. Sadie sees her life in shadow of her sister's, and with that dooming premise overlooks anything of value or potential in her own. Her mistakes become increasingly wrenching as she progresses in various substance addictions, blows jobs and puts herself in harm's way. Sadie's awareness at her own lack of control is both irritating and pitiful -- we see the people that love her try to help, including her sweet husband played with a deft touch by Max Perlich, but how can you help someone who can't help herself? The film is masterful in showing the conflicts that Georgia has, too, while she tries to resolve how she should deal with Sadie's shortcomings and her own anger and resentment.
The film drags in places and sometimes Leigh overdoes Sadie's unlikeability a bit, so it is hard to understand why she is given the chances that she has professionally, and personally. But, where Leigh is brash the other actors take up the slack with subtle, well turned out performances. The music communicates a lot of context, too. All in all, an interesting film.
Sadie is a singer talented enough to get jobs with bands in nightclubs, while her sister, Georgia (played by Mare Winningham), seems to have a perfect career as a gifted folk singer. Sadie sees her life in shadow of her sister's, and with that dooming premise overlooks anything of value or potential in her own. Her mistakes become increasingly wrenching as she progresses in various substance addictions, blows jobs and puts herself in harm's way. Sadie's awareness at her own lack of control is both irritating and pitiful -- we see the people that love her try to help, including her sweet husband played with a deft touch by Max Perlich, but how can you help someone who can't help herself? The film is masterful in showing the conflicts that Georgia has, too, while she tries to resolve how she should deal with Sadie's shortcomings and her own anger and resentment.
The film drags in places and sometimes Leigh overdoes Sadie's unlikeability a bit, so it is hard to understand why she is given the chances that she has professionally, and personally. But, where Leigh is brash the other actors take up the slack with subtle, well turned out performances. The music communicates a lot of context, too. All in all, an interesting film.