MovieChat Forums > Cracks (2011) Discussion > Playing with emotions has consequences

Playing with emotions has consequences

posted 2 years ago by DoctorThirteen (14227)
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Set in a British all-girl boarding school in the 1930s, Eva Green plays enigmatic teacher Miss G, whose life is defined by her devotion to her pupils, and - later - her increasingly unhealthy infatuation with a new student. Senior girl Di (Juno Temple) already has a crush on Miss G, and the arrival of young, Spanish beauty Fiamma (María Valverde) causes jealousy and resentment. As Di realises she has been replaced in Miss G's affections, she becomes more bullying and encourages the other girls to do the same. But childish petulance soon leads to something else, and an inevitable tragedy.

Directed by Jordan Scott (daughter of Ridley), this plays out like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie meets Death in Venice meets The Lord of the Flies (although it's actually based on a 1999 novel by Sheila Kohler). Eva Green is excellent. Maria Valverde is very good. The rest of the cast are good, especially Imogen Poots and Sinead Cusack. But the standout is Juno Temple. As the conflicted Di she gives the most emotional performance I've seen from her. It's a slow-burn of a film (it does feel a little too slow at times) but it's definitely worth sticking with. 7.5/10

[–] looper007 (1158) a year ago

Nice little review for this underrated gem. Surprised with the films 6.6 rating on IMDB as I think the rating you gave it is about right. Surprised also Jordan Scott didn't go on to direct another feature film since this one (I know it didn't do to well at box office).

I love how Eva Green plays Miss.G, she plays her straight off the bat as cool, chic and dark mysterious but gradually as Fiamma is only one who cops on to bullshit that Miss.G is spewing. Miss G starts unravel, and Green plays it brilliantly with little ticks and wided eyed with a tinge of madness with no glamourous look of the earlier part of the film. Green probably delivers her greatest performance to date in this film.

Juno Temple, who's seriously underrated even to now, but she's getting her due now with Ted Lasso. But I think this is her best performance personally. Also Maria Valverde is solid but I think beyond been lusted on by Miss.G, she's not really given much beyond that especially in terms of the small group. Also nice early turn from Imogen Potts as well.

Worth it alone to see Eva Green best performance imo.

[–] DoctorThirteen (14227) a year ago

Absolutely 👍