Watch Bereft

Bereft is a drama film from 2004, directed by Tim Daly, and based on a novel by Chris Bohjalian. The story centers around a young woman named Irene (Vinessa Shaw) who returns to her family's farm in rural Vermont after a traumatic experience in New York City. Her older brother Mitch (Tim Blake Nelson) is living on the farm with his wife and daughter, and is struggling to make ends meet. Irene's arrival puts a strain on the already tense family dynamic, and the past traumas and secrets that have been buried for years begin to surface.

The opening scene of the film sets the tone for the rest of the story, as Irene is seen walking through the streets of New York City, clearly disturbed and troubled. We then see her on a train, heading back to her childhood home in Vermont. Upon her arrival, she is greeted by her brother Mitch, who is surprised and somewhat uneasy to see her. It is clear that there is some unresolved tension between the two siblings.

The family farm is a beautiful but isolated place, surrounded by rolling hills and green pastures. However, it is also a place with a painful past. Irene's mother died when she was young, and her father (played by Edward Herrmann), a well-respected doctor in the community, eventually committed suicide. Mitch was deeply affected by their father's death and has been struggling to cope ever since. He has also had to deal with financial difficulties, and the farm is barely making enough money to sustain itself.

As Irene settles in, she begins to reconnect with her brother's family. She spends time with Mitch's wife Joelyn (played by Marsha Mason) and their young daughter Emma (played by Keira Naughton). However, the tension between Irene and Mitch continues to simmer, and it becomes clear that something happened between them in the past that has yet to be resolved.

As the story unfolds, we learn more about Irene's past and the traumatic experience that she has gone through. It is a heartbreaking story that involves loss and abuse, and it is clear that Irene is struggling to come to terms with what has happened to her. Meanwhile, Mitch is dealing with his own demons, including financial struggles and a sense of abandonment by his father.

The film is beautifully shot, with stunning vistas of the Vermont countryside. The music, composed by James S. Levine, is haunting and atmospheric, adding to the film's overall sense of melancholy. The performances by the entire cast are excellent, with Vinessa Shaw and Tim Blake Nelson delivering particularly powerful performances.

Overall, Bereft is a poignant and deeply affecting film that deals with difficult themes in a sensitive and nuanced way. It is a story about family, trauma, and the power of forgiveness. While it is a somber and often harrowing film, it is ultimately a hopeful one that offers a message of healing and reconciliation.