Eva Victor’s directorial debut, Sorry Baby, is nothing short of magnificent. It is unbelievably moving, heartbreakingly sincere, and absolutely hilarious in equal measure, and is undoubtedly the best film of the year so far.
The film follows several years in the life of Agnes, played by Victor, a literature professor at the prestigious New England college she once attended as a grad student. During her senior year, she was sexually assaulted by one of her professors, an event that has greatly affected her psyche.
Victor is a force of nature, crafting a film on her debut that would put most directors who have worked their whole lives to shame. Her screenplay is phenomenal, her direction inspired, and her lead performance is profoundly emotional and deeply deeply moving. Her supporting cast is fantastic too.
John Carroll Lynch is a particular standout, turning in an incredibly emotive performance in a brief yet meaningful scene. Naomi Ackie as Agnes’ best friend and former-roommate, Lydie, is similarly incredible, bringing a great amount of humour to some of the film’s more difficult moments. But what really makes Sorry Baby stand out is its beautiful and nuanced depiction of grief and trauma.
Victor extends an unbelievable amount of empathy to Agnes, refusing to admonish her for moments of the film where she is overcome by her trauma, but she also shows that the only way out of this pain is to move through it. She seems to think that allowing our past to have dominion over us is ultimately debilitating, and that in order to break out of this frame of mind we must show ourselves and those around us the same amount of empathy that Victor extends to her own character.
I think it is a deeply human approach to take, and it is what makes Sorry Baby truly memorable. Overall, Eva Victor’s debut film is indescribably moving, and I highly recommend you rush out to see it in theaters as soon as possible.
Watch Trailer Here: