My Zoe

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source: My Zoe

Isabelle and James are separated and share custody of Zoe. Upon her unexpected death, she just won't let go and decides to clone her daughter by unconventional methods. Delphy is magnificent and passionate as Isabelle.

Julie Delpy wrote, directed, and stars in this subtle yet moving story of a mother's undying love for her daughter. She plays Isabelle, a brilliant researcher living in Germany. She's going through a difficult divorce while having an affair with another man. One day her daughter Zoe, who she dotes on, becomes ill and ends up in the hospital. There's no explanation for what happened to her, and she goes into a coma. Both she and her ex husband are devastated when their beloved daughter dies. While her husband thinks they need to move on, Isabelle saves a bit of Zoe's skin and is determined to have her cloned. This sounds futuristic, but the way the story is told, it could actually happen today. I got totally sucked into the story and found the acting brilliant. Although it's slow paced, there's an undercurrent of tension that kept me glued to the screen right until the end.

"My Zoe" (2019 release from Germany; 101 min.) brings the story of Isabelle and her 7 yr. old daughter Zoe. As the movie opens, Isabelle is dropping off Zoe at school somewhere in Berlin. Afterwards, Isabelle gets in a heated argument with her ex James, Zoe's father, about the schedule of who gets to see Zoe when. Upon getting home from school, Zoe starts sneezing, as if she has a cold but she doesn't have a fever. It sets in motion a disastrous series of events... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out. Couple of comments: Julie Delpy is best known in the US for co-starring in the "Before" trilogy with Ethan Hawke (Before Sunrise; Before Sunset; Before Midnight). "My Zoe" is the latest labor of love from Julie Delpy. Let's count the ways: she stars (as Isabelle), she writes, she produces, she directs, and for good measure, she also wrote the music playing over the movie's end credits AND she performs (solo piano). Wow. But does it make for a good movie? Sadly, in this case it does not, and I will even say that this is a shockingly poor movie on so many levels. Where to begin? Let's start with the interplay between Isabelle and James as the sparring exes. These scenes feel completely unnatural and very staged. In particular Richard Armitage (as James) comes across as wooden. But "My Zoe" entirely jumps the shark a good hour into the movie when there is a plot change that is as unexpected as it is utterly laughable and entirely unbelievable (I shan't say more). It's a darn shame. There isn't a single second of music in the entire movie, that is until the end credits start rolling and a beautiful solo piano piece starts playing. Turns out that is Delpy herself. Too bad she didn't add some more of this in the movie itself. I wish I could be more positive about this film, as I absolutely love Julie Delpy, but in the case "My Zoe" misfires badly, sad to say. "My Zoe" premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, yes 18 months ago. It was supposed to open in US theaters in the Spring of 2020, but then a little thing called COVID-19 had other plans. Now a year later, "My Zoe" opened out of the blue this weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and I couldn't wait to see it . The Friday early evening screening where I saw this at was not attended well: 1 other person besides myself, and the guy left after an hour and didn't return. I almost did likewise, but didn't as I was just curious how much further this film could jump the shark (as it turs out: a LOT). I cannot recommend this film in good conscience to anyone, but of course don't take my word for it, and check it out for yourself if you have the chance, be it in the theater (?), on VOD, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

The movie was ok but why would they pick someone in their 50's as the mom of such a you t child?

I honestly didn't know what to expect with this movie, and it took a little while for me to get hooked. But once I did, Julie Delpy had me in the palm of her hand. Among other things, this movie is an amazing love story, although some of the angles are never acted upon. As the American healthcare system continues to become more and more broken, it's refreshing to see a doctor who pushes the boundaries for a patient whose undying love for a child motivates him to ditch ethics and take chances that could ruin his career. Delpy has a keen sense of motherhood, coping with pain and capturing relationships, and portrays a dead marriage with tinges of abuse perfectly. The movie is also a perfect spark for discussion. By the time it ends, you don't want it to end, which is always a good thing.

Isabelle (Julie Delpy) is in a bitter custody battle with her ex-husband James (Richard Armitage) over their daughter Zoe. She's a scientist trying to regain her career after sidelining it for the sake of her family. She has a boyfriend and James is still clinging. Thomas Fischer (Daniel Brühl) is an IVF doctor and Laura (Gemma Arterton) is his wife. This is basically Marriage Story for the first half. When the tragedy happens, it turns into something like Creator which is an odd 80's sci-fi rom-com. The first half is compelling despite the infuriating James. The transition to the second half is daring but doesn't always work. It's trying to be challenging but it somehow pulls its punches. Julie Delpy is at the top of the game. I wouldn't mind staying with the Marriage Story. More could be done with the second half but it's also limited by the available time. Nevertheless, it is interesting.

This story is engaging from start to finish. The first half is good, then the second half is even better because of a very unexpected turn. Well done!

Enjoyed this short film very much with the interesting storyline and fabulous cast. Well done Julie Delpy for writing, directing and starring in this original piece of work !!