We’re late to it but A24 has another movie title for consideration. It is called JANET PLANET, which is a coming-of-age drama from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker. Critics say it is a solid tale with wonderful performances from its leads, Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler. More on that after some background and plot.
Annie Baker is a prolific playwright, who has received praise and honors for the various plays she has crafted. She received a 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play “The Flick.” JANET PLANET is her debut film which premiered at the 50th Telluride Film Festival and later played at the New York Fim Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival.
Without actually seeing the movie I’m guessing our title character has the strong mindset that she’s is Janet and the world is her oyster or at least she rocks the space she inhabits every damn day – it is Janet’s Planet! She is the single mother of 11-year-old Lacy and they are extremely close. Janet is dating a guy named Wayne who gets violent with Lacey causing the mother & daughter to move on. This movie is about Janet’s wanderings from one relationship to the next as Lacey copes with it all. As the months pass, three visitors enter their orbit, all captivated by Janet and her spellbinding nature. I guess Janet doesn’t really rock her planet after all but just keeps on trying as we all do.
Julianne Nicholson, seen in large roles in HBO’s BOARDWALK EMPIRE, MARE OF EASTTOWN, and WINNING TIME: THE RISE OF THE LAKERS DYNASTY stars as Janet. Youngster Zoe Ziegler plays Lacy and Wayne is played by Will Patton (Yellowstone, Open Range). Elias Koteas and Sophie Okonedo are also in supporting roles.
You can find the 73-minute drama, rated PG-13, parked on Max and join the critics in saying their are wonderful portrayals revealed.