Watch The Girl

The Girl is a biographical drama film that delves into the complex and tumultuous relationship between the celebrated filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock and his muse Tippi Hedren. The movie is set in the early 1960s, where Hitchcock, at the height of his career, casts Hedren as the lead in his upcoming film The Birds. The film begins with Hedren, portrayed by Sienna Miller, attending a party where she encounters Hitchcock, played by Toby Jones - an icon in the film industry known for his distinct voice, rotund figure, and signature style of suspense. Despite her initial resistance, Tippi agrees to a screen test for Hitchcock, who is captivated by her beauty and poise on camera. She is soon cast in his next film, thrilled to be working with a director of his caliber.

However, as filming progresses, Tippi soon realizes that Hitchcock's affections for her are not purely professional. The director starts to make inappropriate advances towards her, such as touching her hair and clothes without her consent, and becomes increasingly controlling and possessive. Despite her protests, Hitchcock continues to pursue her, and the tension between them begins to affect Tippi's work on set.

As the filming continues, Tippi finds herself in a delicate situation, trapped between her professional ambitions and Hitchcock's unwanted attention. She eventually confronts the director about his behavior, which puts her in a vulnerable position, with Hitchcock seeking revenge by increasing the intensity and danger of the bird attack scenes in the movie.

The Girl is a gripping story of a woman's strength and perseverance in the face of abuse and manipulation. Sienna Miller delivers a powerful performance as Tippi Hedren, portraying her as a woman who is initially charmed and flattered by the attention of a famous director. However, her character grows increasingly distraught and defiant as she deals with Hitchcock's advances.

Toby Jones also delivers an impressive performance as the complicated and enigmatic Hitchcock, imbuing the character with a mixture of charm, insecurity, and menace. Imelda Staunton, who plays Hitchcock's wife Alma, provides a sympathetic portrayal of a woman who is caught in the middle of the director's obsession with his leading lady.

The film is directed by Julian Jarrold and written by Gwyneth Hughes, and they successfully capture the atmosphere of the early 1960s, from the costumes and hairstyles to the frequent use of cigarette smoking. The cinematography also enhances the film's suspenseful tone, with close-up shots of Tippi's facial expressions as she confronts the director.

Overall, The Girl is a thought-provoking drama that provides a nuanced portrayal of a powerful director and a woman who stood up to him in the face of adversity. It is a story of creative collaboration gone wrong, and one that raises important questions about the dynamics of power and abuse in Hollywood.

The Girl is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.