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Some people discover their direction in life at a young age, choosing a career, starting a family, and sticking with it. For others, though, it isn’t quite that easy. And in Carmen, a timid woman struggles to find her way when she’s forced to start over in middle age.
Carmen stars Natascha McElhone as the title character, a serious woman who’s spent her life caring for her brother, the priest of a small Maltese village. When her brother dies, though, the church cuts Carmen off, leaving her with nowhere to go. Desperate for food and shelter, she hides in the church, sleeping on the pews and removing money from the offering box to buy food. When she finds herself stuck in the confessional as villagers file in, she begins offering her advice to the troubled townspeople, who mistake her for the new priest.
After working as her brother’s housekeeper since she was still just a teenager, Carmen struggles to start a new life in her 40s. As she tries to figure out what to do next, she spends a lot of time just witnessing the day-to-day lives of the people around her. And, in the process, the film introduces viewers to this charming village and the often lovably quirky people who live there. From the village streets to the surrounding countryside, the scenery is strikingly beautiful, and it helps to set the tone for this charming story.
The character’s growth and transformation, meanwhile, are truly heartwarming. Little by little, Carmen ventures away from the church. She drinks wine and eats delicious food. She buys herself a pretty red dress. She meets a younger man and explores the island, the joy evident on her face as she breathes in the fresh air. And as she follows an unlikely guide in her attempt to start her new life, she touches the lives of others in the village, too. Thanks to her often unconventional advice, members of the community embrace love, find peace, and chase their dreams.
Granted, not everything in this story works. Parts feel a little out of place—and some of the revelations in the end seem unnecessary. But Carmen’s journey of self-discovery makes for a lovable feel-good film.
After a long, tiring week, sometimes you just need an uplifting story. Carmen is about as warm and cozy as they come: a sweet film about starting over—and sharing a little joy—in a charming little village.
Carmen arrives in theaters and on demand on September 23, 2022.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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