Anemone

If it serves to rejuvenate or restart the acting career of Daniel Day-Lewis, then at least Anemone has served a worthwhile purpose.

The legendary Oscar-winner returns from a self-imposed, eight-year hiatus to star in the directorial debut of his son, Ronan. We’ll assume that its exploration of troubling family secrets, toxic masculinity, and intergenerational strife is merely coincidental.

At any rate, from a narrative standpoint, this deliberately paced character study offers a familiar take on a broken man seeking redemption, emphasizing mood and atmosphere over plot yet winding up more tedious than profound.

The bulk of the film follows Ray (Daniel Day-Lewis), who lives a solitary and simple life off the grid in a rustic cabin in northern England, employing a fitness regimen to stay physically fit and a prayer routine to remain spiritually sound.

He’s less than enthusiastic about a visit from his brother, Jem (Sean Bean), whose primary motive seems to be delivering a letter from Ray’s estranged wife (Samantha Morton) urging him to return home.

More specifically, she wants Ray to reconcile with their teenage son (Samuel Bottomley), who was born shortly before Ray left them both. “He doesn’t know who you are,” Jem explains. “He knows nothing about you.”
Gradually we learn details about Ray’s violent past that led him into seclusion, and remains the source of his lingering hostility and regret. Would a reunion offer the catharsis he needs, or cause more pain?

The younger Day-Lewis demonstrates more promise as a visual craftsman — showcasing some striking imagery amid the film’s bleak circumstances — than a storyteller, although father and son share credit on the screenplay.

With his simmering inner conflict, Daniel Day-Lewis infuses Ray with a melancholy intensity and grief-stricken humanity the film as a whole often lacks. Early in the film, he communicates as much through subtle glances and body language as spoken dialogue. However, it isn’t until the final act when he really has something important to say.

Such is the case with a film that occasionally sparks to life, even if it’s overall difficult to remain emotionally invested. Anemone might have been a passion project for its creative clan, but that enthusiasm often fails to translate.

Rated R, 125 minutes.