Watch A Quiet Passion

A Quiet Passion is a biographical drama film that tells the story of famous American poet Emily Dickinson. The movie, which was written and directed by Terence Davies, stars Emma Bell as Emily Dickinson and focuses on her life from childhood to her later years. The film begins with a young Emily at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, where she struggles with the strict rules and religious teachings of the school. Despite her dismay, she continues to write poetry, and her passion for writing only grows stronger as she gets older. Throughout the film, we see Emily struggle with societal expectations, family dynamics, and her own inner turmoil, all while trying to pursue her dreams of becoming a respected poet.

As the story unfolds, we see Emily as a young woman trying to find her place in the world. She is unsure of her own feelings towards love and relationships and feels out of place in the social circles of her peers. However, her talent for writing gives her a sense of purpose, and she becomes more and more committed to her craft over the years.

One of the major themes of the movie is the role of women in society during the mid-1800s. Emily is constantly battling against the expectations placed upon her to marry and have children, as she believes that her true calling is in her poetry. Despite this, she struggles with feelings of loneliness and isolation, and her relationships with family and friends are often strained.

The movie takes a particular focus on Emily's deep religious faith, which was a significant influence on her poetry. She questions her faith at times, but ultimately turns to it as a source of comfort during her darkest moments. This aspect of her character also plays a significant role in her relationship with her family, as her father is a strict Calvinist who disapproves of her questioning nature.

As Emily gets older, the movie becomes more somber, as she struggles with poor health and the fear that her poetry will never be properly recognized. She becomes more reclusive, choosing to spend more time alone with her writing than connecting with others. Emily's gradual withdrawal from the outside world is shown through the changing decor in her family's home, with scenes becoming increasingly dark and gloomy.

Throughout the film, Emma Bell delivers a stunning performance as Emily Dickinson, capturing both the drama of her inner turmoil and the subtleties of her wit and humor. The supporting cast, which includes Sara Vertongen as Emily's close friend and confidante Vryling Buffam and Rose Williams as her younger sister Lavinia, also deliver strong performances.

A Quiet Passion is a beautifully crafted, thought-provoking movie that offers an intimate look into the life of one of America's most famous poets. While the movie's pace may be slow in places, the stunning cinematography and strong performances make it a worthwhile watch for anyone interested in the life and work of Emily Dickinson.

A Quiet Passion is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 78.