Acclaimed actress Fiona Shaw delivers a powerhouse performance in Park Avenue, a sophisticated new dramedy exploring the complex relationship between a mother and daughter in Manhattan's elite social circles. The film, directed by Gaby Dellal, arrives in UK and Irish cinemas on 14 November.
A Tumultuous Reunion on Park Avenue
The story centres on Kit, played with fearless intensity by Fiona Shaw, an elegant widow living in a handsome Park Avenue apartment. Known for her witty disdain and poised detachment, Kit is preparing to publish a memoir about her life with her late husband, a renowned collector of Chinese art. Her carefully ordered world is disrupted when her grown-up daughter, Charlotte, portrayed by the ever-impressive Katherine Waterston, unexpectedly arrives.
Charlotte has just left her abusive rancher husband and seeks refuge in her childhood home. She quickly regresses to teenage behaviour, much to the satirically polite dismay of her mother. Tensions arise as Kit subtly suggests Charlotte should return to her marriage and make it work, setting the stage for a spiky and intense exploration of their relationship.
Unmasking Family Secrets and Pain
As the narrative unfolds, Charlotte begins to realise that her mother's haughty, imperious mannerisms mask a deeper, hidden pain. The film cleverly reveals that Kit's airy detachment is a facade for significant physical suffering, a truth Charlotte finds astonishing she hadn't discerned earlier.
Set against classy New York locations that evoke the middle period of Woody Allen's work, Park Avenue offers a blend of wry amusement and sophisticated sadness. The production features an interesting cameo from British author Hari Kunzru, adding another layer of literary sophistication to the drama.
A Diverting if Insubstantial Spectacle
While the film provides an agreeable and diverting spectacle with its blend of sweetness and melancholy, co-writer and director Gaby Dellal has ultimately created what many will consider a somewhat middleweight movie. The first-world problems and upmarket setting, while beautifully rendered, leave some questioning whether the narrative adds up to anything profoundly substantial.
Nevertheless, Fiona Shaw's performance remains the undeniable highlight. She brings a directness and fearlessness to her role that few actors can match, elevating the material and providing moments of genuine dramatic power. Katherine Waterston proves a perfect counterpart, delivering another in her series of reliably excellent performances.
Park Avenue stands as a wry, sweet, and melancholic examination of family dynamics, anchored by two remarkable performances, even if the overall impact feels somewhat insubstantial.
