DVD Review: Morvern Callar (A-)

Morvern Callar (2002)
Directed by Lynne Ramsay
Starring Samantha Morton, Raife Patrick Burchell, Dan Cadan
MPAA: R
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

Morvern Callar (played by the remarkable Samantha Morton) is a supermarket clerk that discovers her boyfriend has committed suicide. He has left her a novel, a mix tape, a list of publishers and a request for her to shop the book.

She changes the author's name to her own and in turn, uses the book to change her life. This is a bold step. She refuses to allow her boyfriend to control her life even after he is gone. By changing the author's name, she has taken control. Morvern negotiates with publishers and travels to Ibiza. However, her life does not seem necessarily for the better. She seems detached. She seems torn by the world around her, yet she refuses to lash out. The ending of the film leaves one wondering exactly where Morven will go next, and it is one of the best endings I have seen in a while.

Samantha Morton (Sweet and Lowdown, Minority Report) is mesmerizing. Her facial expressions are wondrous, and Morvern Callar often uses long sequences without dialogue. They aren't necessary, as director Lynne Ramsey can convey emotions so well simply through Morton's expressions and the fantastic soundtrack.

Morvern Callar is a risky, bold independent film that is one of the best we have seen in a long time.

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