Director: Sarah Polley
Cast: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Sarah Silverman, Luke Kirby.
Rating: M
4 stars (out of 5)
After spurning Ryan Gosling in the brilliant but underachieving Blue Valentine, the partnership here with actress-turned director Sarah Polley is exceptional. Does that mean that the supporting cast are mere bystanders?
No, they too are great, but it's William's total immersion in character that transforms what could have been an ordinary film into something quite special.
Set in the back streets of Toronto, Williams plays Margot, a 28-year-old freelance writer happily ensconced in her quirky marriage to food writer Lou (Seth Rogen). After a chance meeting with artist and rickshaw driver Daniel (Luke Kirby), Margot realises that they share more in common than life in the same street.
With her curiosity suitably piqued by Daniel's mystique, Margot slyly manufactures chance encounters that gradually start to erode her devotion to Lou. But her marriage is hardly on the rocks and, with Lou, Margot realises she has something too special to throw away on a casual fling with Daniel.
Following her accomplished feature debut that dealt with the struggle of losing a loved one to Alzheimer's, Polley doesn't stray too far in her frank assessment of the excitement of infidelity.
Stylishly shot, tightly edited and refreshingly bold, Take This Waltz will reward those keen to immerse themselves in the muddy waters of fidelity.
Best thing: Aside from William's performance, the soundtrack is inspired.
Worst thing: Moments where the "cuteness" factor becomes a little cloying.
See it with: Anyone curious to see Seth Rogen in a non-slacker role.
- Mark Orton.
