Juliette Binoche stars as a middle-aged actress who agrees to star again in the play that made her famous at 18 - this time playing the older woman in a lesbian relationship. In the play, the older woman is seduced and abandoned by the younger woman (to be played by Chloe Moretz, a bratty Hollywood star, in the upcoming play), and commits suicide because of it. With her career fading and the abyss ahead, Binoche is understandably nervous that the role reflects her own life too much. The bulk of the film is actually the relationship between Binoche and her assistant (Kristen Stewart), who walks the line between being her employee and her best friend. Stewart is kind of tasked with challenging Binoche, but, as a famous actress and as her employer, neither of them is sure Binoche really wants to or should be challenged. The film is certainly rich and interesting, but it's also a bit lethargic and maybe a bit too vague as well. It could really have stood to be more focused, because there's a lot of little plot points around the corner that distract from the main themes. Binoche is good, as always, though I wouldn't put this up there with her best work. Stewart has received the bulk of the praise. Indeed, she is good, but I think the vast praise she has received is more a case of "Wow the chick from Twilight really can act!" If you saw Adventureland, you know she's not really a bad actress. This is probably her best role, but it's nothing award-worthy.
Review of Clouds of Sils Maria
