I know this was not a big summer blockbuster release, but there is serious claim to best film of the year for Sorry, Baby directed by Eva Victor and also starring Eva Victor. I am serious when I say this movie from an overall perspective of writing, pacing, cast performances, and delivery of a significant message is right up there with the like of Sinners and One Battle After Another. By telling the story through a few chapters to isolate experiences, feelings and mentality after a traumatic event, addresses the aftermath of sexual assault and tells that story through the lens of the victim. As a man, I couldn’t begin to fathom what that would be like for a woman, but the performance by Eva Victor as Agnes makes you feel the weight of every experience, thought, and hesitation in speaking about it more than any film I’ve ever seen. There are so many subtle lines, and most importantly actions and decisions that are made by someone that has experienced this that the viewer notices and feels. And on rewatch, that first chapter that the event has already happened but you don’t know it yet hits so much harder. To seeing the covered window with paper, Agnes wanting Lydie to come back more after this visit, and even the line of “you wanted that right?” When Lydie tells her she is pregnant is just incredible writing. This writing across the board is perfect.
Some of the most noticeable moments of how Eva Victor used Agnes’ actions to really showcase how she was affected by the event include the following:
- Agnes shutting down at dinner with friends after Natasha says Decker always liked her more.
- Lydie and Agnes pointing out how insensitive the Doctor was being when she went to get checked, and Agnes trying to cope as well with awkward humor in the room.
- Obviously the panic attack after she hears Natasha slept with Decker
- Putting the papers up as if there was a threat looking in even though Decker had left town
- Significantly how Agnes talks to the Baby at the end as well about how bad things will happen and you don’t know they will.
Another moment that added a lot to the film include the fact you didn’t need to see the assault to understand the impact from the almost soulless retelling of it Agnes did in the bath to Lydie. The faculty also saying they understand how she is feeling is so on the nose because so many people would say that they can relate, but they never really can. All of these things in detail, all the way to Agnes opening herself up to someone else in the film in Gavin, told us such a long detailed journey of her experiences that I truly couldn’t pick anything from this movie that didn’t work. I rated this 5/5 on Letterboxd because I do truly think it is flawless and it will be the movie I annoyingly recommend to everyone even if they don’t feel the same about it as I do. What a perfect film overall Sorry, Baby is.
The Cinema Speakeasy Theatre Room 
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