Elizabeth Is Missing is a gripping British mystery-drama film that was released in 2019. The film is directed by Aisling Walsh and stars Glenda Jackson in the lead role. In the movie, Jackson plays the character of Maud Horsham, an 80-year-old woman who suffers from dementia. The film is set in modern-day England, but it has the feel of a period piece, with its evocative cinematography and haunting soundtrack. From the very first scene, the audience is drawn into Maud's world, which is one of confusion, fear, and uncertainty.
The movie opens with Maud wandering the streets of her neighbourhood, searching for her friend Elizabeth (Maggie Steed), who seems to have disappeared without a trace. As we soon learn, Maud's memory is rapidly deteriorating, and she has trouble remembering things that happened even a few moments ago.
As Maud becomes more and more obsessed with finding Elizabeth, she begins to experience flashbacks to her childhood, when her older sister, Sukey, disappeared without a trace. Maud becomes convinced that Elizabeth's disappearance is connected to Sukey's, and she sets out to uncover the truth, even if it means putting herself in danger.
Throughout the film, we see Maud struggling to hold on to her memories and her sense of self, as her dementia worsens. Her interactions with her family and caregivers are tinged with sadness and frustration, as she tries to make sense of a world that is slipping away from her.
One of the most compelling aspects of Elizabeth Is Missing is the way it explores the experience of dementia from the inside. The film is told from Maud's perspective, and we see the world through her eyes, which are clouded by confusion and fear. The filmmakers use a variety of techniques, such as jarring cuts and repetitive imagery, to create a sense of the disorientation and anxiety that Maud feels.
As the film progresses, the mystery of Elizabeth's disappearance deepens, and Maud becomes more and more determined to solve it. Her investigations take her to unexpected places, and she meets a variety of characters, all of whom seem to have their own secrets and hidden agendas.
At its core, Elizabeth Is Missing is a poignant and powerful exploration of memory, loss, and aging. It's a film that poses difficult questions about the limits of our own mortality, and it challenges us to confront our own fears about growing old and losing the ones we love.
Glenda Jackson's performance as Maud is truly remarkable, and it's no surprise that she won a BAFTA for her work in the film. She brings a depth and complexity to the character that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She captures Maud's vulnerability and her fierce determination with equal skill, creating a portrait of a woman who refuses to be defined by her diagnosis.
Overall, Elizabeth Is Missing is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant film that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It's a testament to the power of cinema to tell stories that are both deeply personal and universally relevant, and it's one of the most moving films to come out in recent years.
Elizabeth Is Missing is a 2021 drama.
