Cast: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sean Bean, Samuel Bottomley, Safia Oakley-Green, Samantha Morton, Sid Akbar Ali, Paul Butterworth

Director: Ronan Day-Lewis

125 min. 

As we get older, the history with our various family members only grows more complex and fraught with emotion. These are people we have known literally for our entire lives, and we have shared so much with them. Yet, no two family members perceive that shared history in the same way, leading to wildly different interpretations of the past and its impact on the present. Added to that are all the many secrets we keep as private individuals, the things we never share with our family or anyone else. As the proverb goes, familiarity breeds contempt, even though it seems that it should logically bring understanding. Is there any hope of reconciliation when making a connection is nearly impossible? These are some of the questions on the mind of co-writer/director Ronan Day-Lewis, as seen in his feature film debut, Anemone. 

The film is an emotionally volatile story of a small, fractured family whose pain has created ripples throughout multiple generations, and for whom time has never healed their deep wounds. It’s a weighty work that is given even more dimension thanks to Day-Lewis co-writing the project with star Daniel Day-Lewis, who also happens to be Ronan’s father. Anemone is a haunting drama filled with powerhouse performances. Additionally, it’s one of the best directorial debut features in recent years. Part of the joy in watching Anemone is seeing just how Ronan Day-Lewis allows the narrative to unfold slowly. It requires patience on the audience’s part, but that patience is wholly rewarded if you give the film a chance. Some of its depth comes through the intricate weaving of its tale - put it briefly, the story revolves around four members of a tortured family: Ray (Daniel Day-Lewis), Jem (Sean Bean), Nessa (Samantha Morton), and Brian (Samuel Bottomley). After the teenage Brian is involved in a violent altercation, his mother, Nessa, and stepfather, Jem, decide that Jem needs to seek out his estranged brother, Ray, who long ago chose to hermit himself in the deep woods of northern England. It happens that all four people have fragile relationships with one another, thanks to mistakes made in their pasts. Ray, whose service in the British military in the mid-1970s during the Troubles in Ireland left him with unspeakable trauma, has drastically affected everyone else around him. Throughout the film, this broken family struggles to make peace with themselves, and the question of whether they can reconcile with each other looms over every decision they make.  Something that gives Anemone a singular energy is the fact that, despite its narrative intimacy, it signals the return of three-time Oscar-winning actor Daniel Day-Lewis, following his announcement of retirement after starring in 2017's Phantom Thread. Certainly, plenty of other actors have prematurely announced their retirement, but Day-Lewis has always carried an integrity that made it seem like he might stick to it. Perhaps, had his son Ronan not come along with Anemone, he may well have. Thankfully, he did return, and while it’s unfair to say that the film belongs to his father, there’s no doubt that his presence is a large part of its appeal. It feels trite to say that Daniel Day-Lewis is utterly magnetic in Anemone, but it is true. It’s such a pleasure to see him hold court on the big screen again, especially since Ray is a more enigmatic character than Daniel Plainview or Abraham Lincoln. For much of the 2-hour running time, viewers are unsure what to make of him; early on, Ray delivers a monologue (one of several), which may be the truth, or a total fabrication. Anemone doesn’t antagonise the audience, however, because we eventually see Ray stripped to his core. This scene, where the film reveals its dark secrets, as Day-Lewis goes to a very vulnerable place, helps contribute to Ray becoming one of the actor’s most memorable characters.

This is a remarkably rich film, but it does require patience. This is especially true of the first two acts, which swirl around the mystery at the heart of the script in a way that mirrors the characters’ years-long avoidance. Patience might also be required for those who find monologues a chore, even when delivered by the likes of Daniel Day-Lewis. Anemone is not a cruel feature, though it is abrasive. There’s an early moment that suggests we may be watching a stealth-like ghost story, and while that’s not exactly the case, it could mislead viewers who are lost and unsure what to make of this plot. It does employ a degree of ambiguity that is perhaps excessive, but it’s a tendency that will likely become beguiling upon a re-watch, but could possibly be frustrating for some on a first viewing when you’re still trying to figure everything out. Then, there’s the character of Hattie, played by relative newcomer Safia Oakley-Green. She’s fine in the part and a welcome presence, so much so that the film’s tight focus on Ray, Jem, Nessa, and Brian leaves her woefully under-served. None of these issues however can diminish the film’s power. Rather, they are minor elements that may keep Anemone from feeling like an instant classic. Despite that, Anemone is so impressive that it will very likely grow in appreciation for those it speaks to. Ronan Day-Lewis and cinematographer Ben Fordesman have captured numerous breathtaking shots of the dense English forest, images that editor Nathan Nugent occasionally weaponises. On top of that, the score by Bobby Krlic may be the composer’s best one yet. Ronan Day-Lewis also demonstrates a tremendous knack for creating tension and surreal imagery. Whatever happens, it’s a minor miracle that Ronan Day-Lewis has made a debut that achieves the high bar of providing his old man with such a great comeback vehicle. In addition to Daniel, the other principal cast members do some similarly incredible work, proving that Ronan isn’t only adept at directing his father.

Note: The title refers to the species of flower, one which has numerous connotations in the mythology of various cultures. In Ancient Greece, they stood for tragic love. In Victorian England, they told others your emotions. In Japan, they are used in funerals. 

Anemone touches upon all these meanings and more, which is why you will be thinking about it long after the credits roll.