I avoided watching this movie because of such negative reviews but after reading the synopsis, I decided to try it. All three lead actors were phenomenal - such emotional performances! Though the story is a not without flaws, the chosen actors - both adult and child - provide a flow that keeps the movie moving. I'm glad I read about the movie before watching. It bounces between time periods quickly and knowing the story ahead of time, made this easier to navigate. Cillian Murphy's depiction of an adult man dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic childhood is real and raw. Jennifer Connelly's role as a mother who lost one son and abandons another while finding 'fame' as a healer, is both complicated and vulnerable. Give it a chance - the movie has more to it than you might think.
