The Immigrant
2013
***½
Director: James Gray
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner, Angela Sarafyan, Dagmara Dominczyk, Antoni Corone, Ilia Volok, Jicky Schnee, Maja Wampuszyc, Yelena Solovey
In 1921, two Polish sisters, Magda and Ewa, arrive at Ellis Island. While Magda is quarantined for illness, Ewa moves in with Bruno, a seemingly helpful man with a hidden agenda. James Gray's immigration drama is based on the experiences his grandparents had when they emigrated from Ukraine. This is a compelling film with well-drawn, multi-layered characters (Bruno is a controlling manipulator, but he is not a one-note villain). However, I could have lived without the unnecessary love triangle. Marion Cotillard gives an understated but very powerful performance.
