Shia LaBeouf Should Never Have Got His Role in “Pieces of a Woman”
And watching his on-screen character commit violent assault is truly uncomfortable
Pieces of a Woman, which has just started screening on Netflix, is a cinematic tour de force. It is an incredible film. It deals with the most traumatic, almost taboo of topics — stillbirth — but it does so in a sensitive, unvoyeuristic way that honours the parents who suffer this tragedy.
Its main star, British actress Vanessa Kirby, gives the performance of her life. The 24-minute scene that begins with her character Martha’s waters breaking in her kitchen is shot in a single, swooping, devastating take and within it, Kirby’s is the most realistic depiction of labour I have ever seen. It’s totally harrowing and she deserves every award going. (So, incidentally, does the cameraman, who apparently had to do strength training beforehand in order to hold the camera steady for the requisite length of time).
As her labour progresses, Martha’s partner Sean is ever-present. He is by her side, every step of the way. He helps her out of her wet leggings; he strokes her back; he supports her to and from the bath; and at last, he holds her strong in his arms while she pushes. He’s the stoic standby for that whole scene. When it ends tragically and not…
