The biopic Leonora in the Morning Light recounts the extraordinary life of British-born surrealist artist Leonora Carrington, but does so with intelligence and restraint that borders on tepid. The film, adapted from Elena Poniatowska's biographical novel, follows Carrington from her escape from London to Paris at age 20, through her tumultuous relationship with Max Ernst, her mental health crisis during World War II, and her eventual settlement in Mexico.
Performance and Direction
Olivia Vinall delivers a spiky, fierce, and uncompromising performance as Carrington, capturing the spirit of a woman who refused to seek anyone's approval. However, the film itself lacks the imagination and daring that defined its subject. The direction by Michael B. Jackson opts for restraint, leaving many of the more dramatic elements of Carrington's life underexplored.
Historical Inaccuracies and Omissions
The film glosses over the uncomfortable age gap between Carrington and Ernst, who was married and more than twice her age. More critically, it omits the bizarre episode where Carrington's parents dispatched her Irish former nanny to Spain in a submarine to rescue her during her mental health crisis. Such omissions rob the story of its surreal, almost cinematic quality.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Where the film excels is in its depiction of Carrington's mental health struggles. The scenes in a Spanish psychiatric hospital, where she is subjected to barbaric drug treatments, are harrowing and effective. However, the narrative loses momentum once Carrington moves to Mexico in the 1940s, where the film settles into uneventful storytelling despite her productive years there.
Dialogue and Character Interactions
The dialogue often clunks along unconvincingly. Lines like "I don't want to be your wife. I want to be your lover," spoken to Ernst (Alexander Scheer), feel forced. Carrington's interactions with male surrealists like André Breton and Salvador Dalí are portrayed with her characteristic defiance, but the scenes lack the spark of genuine confrontation.
Legacy and Conclusion
After her death, Carrington became the most valuable British-born female artist at auction when one of her paintings sold for more than £22.5 million in 2024. Leonora in the Morning Light does justice to her spirit but fails to capture the full breadth of her extraordinary life. The film is in UK and Irish cinemas from 29 May.
