Eileen

 

   A  character study that moves between film noir and melodrama with surprising twists along the way. It stars Thomasin McKenzie as Eileen and Anne Hathaway as Rebecca, a woman who becomes Eileen's obsession.

   The two stars have great chemistry in this psychological drama that gets darker and stranger as it goes on. Ms. McKenzie, in particular, is terrific as the complex title character. Ms. Hathaway, of late, is choosing far more interesting roles in Independent films than her previous Hollywood lead parts. Here she plays a disturbed femme fatale.

   The film co-stars Shea Whigham as Eileen's widowed, alcoholic father, and Marin Ireland as  Mrs. Polk, a pivotal character. Ms. Ireland's part is small but she delivers a a great performance during an extended monologue.  

   Richard Reed Parry ( of Arcade Fire) did the music and both the score and song selections are perfect.

   Moody and progressively twisted, the story may not appeal to everyone, especially with an ending that I found unsatisfying but it does have two excellent performances from Ms. McKenzie and Ms. Hathaway.