Henry James' 1897 novel about a child shuttled between warring parents has been transposed to contemporary New York City in co-directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel's What Maisie Knew, which retains the original source material's technique of telling the story from the perspective of the titular girl, with the surrounding adults glimpsed only in bits and pieces. This tactic works as well on the screen as it does on the page, conveying the uncertainty that a youngster would feel when the people who are supposedly devoted to her welfare act in irresponsible ways. Onata Aprile—sporting wide eyes and a subtly expressive face—is wonderfully natural as Maisie, while Julianne Moore is fiercely compelling as her musician mother and Steve Coogan equally convincing as her businessman father, both of whom treat Maisie more as a possession than an object of affection. As the new spouses whom Maisie's parents wed after their divorce, Joanna Vanderham and Alexander Skarsgård are persuasive as soothing if not always reliable alternate caregivers. What Maisie Knew could have easily descended into bathos and preaching, but the treatment here remains surprisingly subtle, closing (as does James' book) on a hopeful but decidedly ambiguous note. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel, deleted scenes (8 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a fine adaptation of James's tale.] (F. Swietek)
What Maisie Knew
Millennium, 99 min., R, DVD: $28.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $29.99, Aug. 13 Volume 28, Issue 5
What Maisie Knew
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