Review: The Tale

Filmmakers and screenwriters often put elements of themselves and their backgrounds into their work, whether directly or indirectly. Sometimes it comes across as self indulgent, but others in successfully gives the film specificity and heart. This was the case with Lady Bird, in which Greta Gerwig and her protagonist shared a hometown along with many other details. THE TALE goes even further, and to an astounding effect.

Director and screenwriter Jennifer Fox presents her tale here with a shocking amount of candidness, not even changing her name. We receive unmediated access to her memories and follow along as she investigates the sexual abuse she underwent as a 13 year old by two adults, her riding instructor (Elizabeth Debicki) and running coach (Jason Ritter), both of whom she trusted and loved.

The film switches between the present and the past, and Laura Dern plays Jennifer in the modern day. As is the case in real life, she is a documentary filmmaker and teacher, seemingly comfortable now in her life with a steady boyfriend and interesting creative projects. A frantic voicemail from her mother (Ellen Burstyn), who has just found a story she wrote for class as a tween detailing her inclusion into the love affair of a couple she greatly admired, forces her to confront this past “relationship.” Jennifer dismisses her mother’s concerns, calling it a summer romance she had with an older man. Yet as the film progress, she slowly acknowledges that what happened wasn’t a mutual romance between consenting individuals, but sexual abuse of a child by a grown man, allowed and encouraged by a grown woman.

One of the most fascinating elements of the film is how it utilises documentary techniques despite being a narrative feature. It’s clear that Jennifer has long been asking tough questions and conducting investigations of her own behind the lens of her camera, including the subject of sexual harassment and abuse faced by women. Now she uses her skills as a documentarian to probe herself and her history in an attempt to find answers through research, meetings and, interviews that are both real and in her head.

She finds what she initially remembered is not entirely accurate. The realisation – upon seeing an  old picture – that she was a tiny, awkward preteen and not an attractive mature fifteen year old when this occurred, is shocking to her. It’s a fascinating and heartbreaking look at the way people positively frame traumas in order to protect ourselves.

As remarkable as Dern is in this, her younger counterpart played by Isabelle Nélisse is the one to watch. It’s so heartbreaking to watch as she looks for validation and love from these people. Nélisse captures exactly what it’s like to be young and to want to be taken seriously and treated like an adult, even when you aren’t. Then there’s the terror of watching people take advantage of her, and this can’t be overstated.

Ritter and Debicki were also excellent in what must be the most challenging and uncomfortable roles they’ll ever play. It’s difficult to imagine the difficulties of getting into the mindset of playing these truly awful people who inflict harm on a child under the guise of love.

THE TALE was purchased by HBO Films and will premiere on the network 26 May 2018, and I sincerely hope it won’t be dismissed or ignored as a TV movie as there’s truly nothing more powerful coming out this year. It’s a difficult and emotional watch, and I would urge viewer discretion, but I also can’t recommend it more. The film explores the complexities of childhood sexual abuse and its devastating effects on survivors and their families incredibly well. Most importantly it has Fox, a woman who experienced this, telling her own story and on her terms.

2018 | US | DIR: Jennifer Fox | WRITER: Jennifer Fox | CAST: Laura Dern, Ellen Burstyn, Jason Ritter, Elizabeth Debicki, Isabelle Nélisse | DISTRIBUTOR: HBO | RUNNING TIME: 114 minutes | RELEASE DATE: 19 April 2018 (Tribeca)