Bitch
USA 2017
Written by Marianna Palka
Directed by Marianna Palka
Watched on 26.09.2017

I was really looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, in the end, “Bitch” proved to be not really my cup of tea. For what it wanted to be – especially with regard to social criticism – it was far too shallow, and also too on the nose, exaggerated and implausible, like the reaction of the kids, the – symbolic – broken chandelier that’s lying around for I don’t know how long, and especially the completely inept and clueless father. Even taken as the farce it was seemingly intended to be, that was too over the top for me. I was also rather taken aback that this film – written and directed by a woman, and about a woman who suffers a severe nervous breakdown – is more about her husband, and what this crisis does and means to him, than anyone else. And yes, I get it: He was the main reason for her to shut herself out from the world and her previous life like that, and had to realize this, and thus change his behavior, for her to being able to find her way back. But that didn’t make this any less disappointing to me. Furthermore, he starts off as such a complete and utter asshole that the later part of the film where he’s supposed to redeem himself didn’t really work for me. I didn’t like him as character at all, but also was pissed at Marianna Palka for writing him in this (extremely exaggerated) way. And to add insult to injury, movies where an overworked dad who neglects his family gets reformed is hardly anything new. Granted, it’s not all bad. It had a couple of great moments, the occasional joke that worked for me, and the acting was flawless all around. But the more I think about “Bitch”, the more frustrated I get, because of all the potential that – at least in my book – went to waste due to the fact how over the top and thus implausible it all was.
4/10

IMDB