Anne Fontaine boldly adapted Doris Lessing’s novella “The Grandmothers” into a drama film called “Adore” in 2013. Fontaine is no stranger to controversy, and Lessing’s Novella is no exception. The screenplay was written by Christopher Hampton, known for his adaptations of intricate character studies. “Adore” takes place in a stunning australian coastal town, where the film explores the ethical and emotional entanglements between two lifelong friends and their sons.
The film was released honored with the title “Adoration” in Australia and various overseas markets. Adore features a powerhouse pairing of Naomi Watts and Robin Wright, whose performances ground a provocative narrative in emotional sincerity. The film is visually striking with captivating cinematography and a haunting score—but morally unsettling.
Plot Summary
Roz (Robin Wright) and Lil (Naomi Watts) are childhood best friends. Now in their early forties, they live next door to each other in beachfront homes. Their sons, Tom (James Frecheville) and Ian (Xavier Samuel), have grown up together as close as brothers. Their lives are intertwined in an almost utopian bubble: both women are single (Roz’s husband is frequently away for work and Lil is a widow), their sons are handsome and athletic, and their lifestyle is peaceful and seemingly perfect.
Things go awry when Ian, Lil’s son, begins a sexual liaison with Roz. When Tom learns of the affair, he retaliates—whether out of vengeance, confusion, or even bloodlust out of some primal desire by becoming infatuated with Lil. These relationships evolve into bonds that are not short-lived romances, but deep, passionate conflicts.
These liaisons disrupt the balance of the two families and their moral compass. Over time, the characters deal with the consequences of their actions—guilt, possessiveness, denial, and ultimately the reality of what they have done to their lives. Years pass, and despite attempts to start afresh through new marriages, children, and relationships, the sense of yearning between the two older women and their lovers lingers.
Characters and Performances
Robin Wright as Roz: Wright’s performance captures Roz as a multifaceted character and a calm, nurturing figure who is torn between her maternal instincts, passion, a romance that defies societal norms, and her identity. She is quietly passionate, emotionally conflicted, and deeply nurturing.
Naomi Watts as Lil: Watts empathizes deeply with Lil, a widow whose love for her son, Tom, is matched only by the depth of her emotional bond. Her performance is emotionally tender yet restrained.
James Frecheville as Tom: Tom is Roz’s son and a deeply complex character. Frecheville captures the emotional conflict of youth and unexpected attachment as his character’s initial vengeful actions evolve into a subtler motivation.
Xavier Samuel as Ian: Ian crosses the moral line first, and even though he seems sincere in his feelings for Roz, they appear to be tender and everlasting. Samuel, with a mixture of youthful allure and naivety, embodies those sentiments.
Ben Mendelsohn as Harold: Roz’s disapproving husband, whose almost non-existent presence is one of the few outside voices in a world otherwise isolated from conventional judgment. Mendelsohn plays Harold with frightening intensity.
The chemistry between the leads resonates with a unique melody, one that is simultaneously soft yet deeply stiff. The combination of the performances is very important to securing the emotional basis of the film, which is grounded in an unconventional framework.
Adore Themes and Interpretation
Moral Ambivalence and Unrestrained Yearnings
The primary focus on Adore is dedicated to the core idea of transgression; this is to say Adore is focused on taboo subjects such as older women engaging romantically with significantly younger men, usually viewed as children as they were raised practically within their family. The film does not frame the relationships as purely erotic, nor does it dispel them with severe criticism. Rather, it strives to depict the participants as real people and try to fathom the emotional intricacies that accompany them.
Female bonds
The core subplot of the movie lies on the relationship shared between Roz and Lil, and their friendship. This bond is described as something greater than family – a deep-seated lifelong understanding and allegiance. The underlying adult parallel romances, while marking conflict within the relationship, ultimately do not depict its destruction, instead revealing an emotional phenomena that exists beyond societal perception.
Isolation and Utopia
The location of the film which is a stunning sun-drenched coastal paradise enhances the feeling of disconnection from the moral side of society and gives watching characters a feeling which could be termed as alicated moral detachment. In this Haven, characters are free to perform actions that ordinary society would deem indescribable, however, this environment is capable of self reflection and emotional honesty.
The Domain in which One Operates
When it comes to features of the film Adore, it has received mixed and negative reviews because of their sensitive subject material. While some viewers praised the performances of Watts and Wright, as well as the film’s visual beauty, one could not ignore the alternate viewpoint that the film’s narrative is shallow and the overall performance was implausible.
The Logic with the Causality Relation
Passion is almost always carried through time by choices and decisions that span several years within the movie. In motivation of trying to bring back a normal life, the characters seem to struggle without letting go of their deep emotions from the past. This is more or less as love does not just disappear cleanly once it is ignited.
Visual and Technical Elements
More remarkable features of the film include the cinematography done by Christophe Beaucarne who almost flawlessly captures the sweeping shots of the ocean, golden beaches, and elegant interiors. All his shots are elegantly lit by nature making the piece a dreamlike vision that contradicts its moral ambiguity, bringing other appreciation to the movie.
Musically accompanying the character’s internal conflict is the score composed by Christopher Gordon and Antony Partos. Placing their score overcame the performance to provide more support to the narrative that aims to show strife and struggle. This move was received positively as it brings about a better understanding of the character’s internal conflict and promises even more strife.
Acceptance of this movie seems to be the least of Fontaine’s concerns, as she decided to turn a deaf ear to the criticism. With careful planning and execution, her leadership received the praises of allowing natural cannot be bend and causing scenes to breathe. That deep criticism combines with the need to avoid turns the character’s deeply woven relationships into pure masterpiece laden with rich emotion.
Some people considered it a daring take on modern relationships, while some argued that it lacked sufficient psychological depth needed to explore its provocative subject matter. Regardless, it has garnered a degree of cult attention because of its thematic audacity and powerful leading performances.
Conclusion
Adore defies expectations as a haunting, morally challenging, and psychologically layered narrative while contorting themes of love and age. It does not strive to provide easy answers; rather, it thoughtfully considers the chaotic nature of human want and the fallout that comes from breaching societal norms.
With powerful performances from Robin Wright and Naomi Watts, striking cinematography, and a complex narrative, Adore compels audiences to experience a world where love transcends boundaries and extraordinary tests of friendship endure. Whether framed as a cautionary tale or a bold exploration of non-traditional love, the film is truly unforgettable.
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