Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s Powerful Performance In ‘Smashed’ Is A Must See [Sundance 2012]
FilmmakerJames Ponsoldt’s feature debutOff The Blackpremiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006. It was met with a lackluster response, but everyone seemed to praise the performances despite the troubled screenplay. After seeing last year’s heavily buzzed-about filmLike Crazy,Mary Elizabeth Winsteadcontacted producerJonathan SchwartzandAndrea Sperlingbecause she wanted to be in a film like the one they produced. This year, Ponsoldt, Schwartz and Sperling returned to Park City Utah withSmashed, which features a must-see tour de force performance from Winstead.
The character-driven script follows a teacher dealing with alcoholism, and the problems that her marriage poses in her efforts to become sober. Winstead plays the teacher, andAaron Paul(Breaking Bad) plays her almost-always drunk husband. The story is basic and obvious (as in that it has the standard after school special character arc) but the details are polished and authentic-feeling.
The screenplay also features some nice moments of comedy. For example, when Winstead’s character turns up hungover to work and vomits in front of her class, she lies about being pregnant to keep her job. This lie snowballs into some funny bits later on. The fact that the film has comedic moments shouldn’t be surprising considering it was co-written by sketch comicSusan Burke.
But the film isMary Elizabeth Winstead’s to own. Winstead’s performance is powerful, moving — a must see. It will bring you to verge of tears.Aaron Paulhas a nice turn, but nothing out of the realm that we’ve seen inBreaking Bad. It’s also worth noting thatOctavia Spencer(The Help) has a nice supporting performance.
/Film Rating:7.5 out of 10
