Pieces of a Woman 2020
Directed by
Kornél Mundruczó
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
Martha Weiss and Sean Carson are a couple living in Boston, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child. Sean, who works in construction, and Martha, an executive, bond over their excitement during a visit to a car dealership where Martha’s brother-in-law, Chris, is employed. To celebrate, Martha’s mother, Elizabeth, surprises them with a minivan. Sean shows his love by giving Martha ultrasound pictures to decorate their nursery, capturing their joyful anticipation.
However, the night takes a dramatic turn when Martha goes into labor. With their midwife, Barbara, unavailable, Eva, played by Molly Parker, steps in to assist. As Martha endures the agony of labor, her nausea and anxiety intensify. When she reaches ten centimeters, the midwife prepares her for the delivery in the bedroom. But as the labor progresses, Eva realizes that the baby’s heart rate is plummeting during contractions. Concerned, she alerts a frantic Sean of the potential need to rush to the hospital. Despite the escalating fear, Martha, fueled by determination, resists the idea of leaving her familiar space and pushes with all her might to deliver her baby.
In a heartbreaking twist, after bringing her daughter into the world, Martha and Sean face an unimaginable tragedy as their newborn goes into cardiac arrest. The weeks that follow are filled with grief and encounters that highlight Martha’s profound loss, including a moment in a grocery store where she unexpectedly lactates upon seeing a little girl. Martha grapples not only with her sorrow but also with familial pressure, attending a coroner’s appointment that reveals their baby died in a low-oxygen environment, leaving them questioning their choices.
As Martha struggles with her emotions, her relationship with Sean begins to fracture under the weight of their grief. Tensions rise as they argue about the baby’s room, and Sean, overwhelmed, finds solace in an affair with Martha’s cousin, Suzanne, who also serves as the attorney prosecuting Eva. Martha’s mother blames her for the tragedy, further straining their relationship.
As time progresses, Martha is drawn into Eva’s trial, where she ultimately speaks her truth, asserting that she does not hold Eva responsible for her daughter’s death. Back at home, she nurtures her healing journey, finding hope when apple seeds she planted begin to sprout. In a poignant ritual, a month later, she scatters her daughter’s ashes in the river, embracing her loss while looking toward the future.
Years later, Martha finds herself surrounded by new life when she helps a little girl climb down from an apple tree. This moment symbolizes her ongoing journey of healing, where she learns to nurture hope amidst the pain.
Timeline
Anticipating Parenthood
Martha Weiss and Sean Carson eagerly await the arrival of their first child, filled with excitement and joy. They bond over their dreams of parenthood during a visit to a car dealership, showcasing their close relationship and shared aspirations.
Celebration Gift
In a heartfelt moment, Martha's mother surprises the couple with a new minivan, symbolizing their readiness for family life. This gift represents not just practicality but also the support from their family as they prepare for their baby.
Preparing the Nursery
Sean expresses his love by giving Martha ultrasound pictures, which they prepare to adorn their nursery. This act signifies their deep connection and the love that they share as they await their child's arrival.
Labor Begins
The joy of anticipation quickly turns into panic when Martha unexpectedly goes into labor. With their midwife unavailable, Eva steps in, guiding Martha through the intense early stages of childbirth.
Emergency Decision
As Martha experiences the agony of labor, her condition worsens, and Eva realizes their urgent need for hospital assistance due to the baby's declining heart rate. Frantic and overwhelmed, Sean is faced with the challenge of making quick decisions.
The Birth
Despite the escalating tensions, Martha's determination leads her to fight through the pain and deliver her baby. The moment is filled with hope as the family welcomes their daughter into the world amidst chaos.
Tragic Loss
Just moments after giving birth, tragedy strikes as their newborn goes into cardiac arrest. This heartbreaking event marks the beginning of profound grief for both Martha and Sean as they confront their unimaginable loss.
Grappling with Grief
In the weeks following their loss, Martha faces her sorrow in various settings, marked by painful reminders of her baby. A seemingly normal moment in a grocery store thrusts her into emotional turmoil, highlighting the depth of her grief.
Coroner's Appointment
Martha and Sean attend a coroner's appointment, which reveals that their baby died due to low oxygen levels. This appointment brings feelings of guilt and blame, causing them to question their choices throughout the labor process.
Strained Relationship
As grief takes its toll, Martha and Sean's relationship begins to fracture. Tensions mount as they argue over every detail, including the baby's room, and Sean seeks comfort outside their marriage, leading to a devastating affair.
Trial and Truth
Martha finds herself involved in the trial of Eva, the midwife, where she must confront her feelings about their loss. Ultimately, she stands firm in her belief that Eva is not to blame, showing her strength and resilience amidst the turmoil.
Healing Journey
In the midst of her pain, Martha begins to nurture her healing process, finding solace in nature. The moment her apple seeds sprout serves as a metaphor for her gradual recovery and the rekindling of hope in her life.
Embracing Loss
As a poignant ritual, Martha scatters her daughter's ashes in the river, symbolizing her acceptance of the tragedy. This act is both cathartic and transformative, as she embraces the memories while looking toward a brighter future.
A New Beginning
Years later, Martha finds herself helping a little girl climb down from an apple tree, surrounding her with new life and joy. This moment embodies her ongoing journey of healing, where she learns to nurture hope despite the lingering pain.
Characters
Martha Weiss
Martha is portrayed as a determined and ambitious woman whose world turns upside down following the tragic loss of her daughter. She embodies the struggles of motherhood and the emotional turmoil that comes with grief. Her journey reflects her resilience as she navigates the complexities of her relationships and seeks healing.
Sean Carson
Sean is Martha's partner, initially filled with joy and anticipation for their child's arrival. However, he becomes overwhelmed by grief, which leads him to make damaging choices, straining his relationship with Martha. His character grapples with feelings of helplessness and frustration during their tragic ordeal.
Suzanne
Suzanne, played by Sarah Snook, is Martha's cousin who becomes entangled in the family's tragedy by having an affair with Sean. As an attorney, she represents the complexity of familial relationships amid grief, and her actions add tension to the narrative. Her character explores themes of loyalty and betrayal.
Eva
Eva is the midwife who steps in during Martha's labor when the regular midwife is unavailable. Despite her best intentions, she faces the repercussions of a tragic outcome, bringing forth themes of responsibility and guilt. Eva's character embodies the pressures faced by healthcare professionals in critical situations.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is Martha's mother, who struggles to support her daughter through the grieving process while grappling with her own feelings of blame and loss. Her character highlights the generational differences in coping with grief and the strain it can place on familial bonds.
Setting
Time period
The film's events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues surrounding childbirth, grief, and familial relationships. This relevance adds a layer of depth to the characters' experiences, resonating with audiences.
Location
Boston
Boston is a historic city known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant neighborhoods. It offers a blend of modern urban life and beautiful parks, making it an ideal setting for personal and emotional stories. The city’s character contributes to the backdrop of the film, underscoring the challenges faced by the couple.
Themes
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Grief
The theme of grief is central to the story, showcasing Martha's profound loss after the death of her newborn. The film explores the stages of grief, from shock to acceptance, and illustrates how it affects personal relationships, leading to conflict and alienation. Through Martha's journey, the film highlights the complex emotions associated with loss and healing.
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Motherhood
Motherhood is a central theme, portrayed through Martha's anticipation and ultimate experience of losing her child. The narrative examines the expectations and realities of becoming a mother, the struggles faced during labor, and the emotional impact of an unfulfilled maternal instinct. Martha's journey symbolizes the resilience of a mother’s love despite unimaginable tragedy.
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Justice
The theme of justice is explored through the trial involving Eva, the midwife, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding childbirth. Martha's involvement in the legal proceedings reveals her struggle for closure and accountability in the aftermath of her loss. This theme highlights the complexities and moral questions that arise when lives are at stake.
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