Rent Saint Frances (2020)

Excellent Comedy Drama - Saint Frances review by GI

This bittersweet comedy drama is a rather eye opening film that looks at modern female life in a wry, tender and intelligent way. It follows Bridget (Kelly O'Sullivan - who also wrote the screenplay), a 34 year old single woman who feels she's a bit of a failure. An unwanted pregnancy after a casual fling comes at the same time she finds a new job as nanny to six year old Frances (Ramona Edith Williams), the daughter of gay couple Maya (Charin Alvarez) and Annie (Lily Mojekwu). Bridget has an avowed phobia of children and initially finds the job taxing as she also decides to have an abortion. But Frances begins to have a liberating affect on Bridget and the way she sees life and her future. The film takes the issue of women's rights of control over their own bodies very seriously and the narrative looks at the everyday issues of menstruation, sex, relationship, breast feeding and post natal depression, and these are dealt with in a witty script that is taboo busting and intimate. It shows the absurdities of life for modern women and how navigating societies intolerance can be a tough call. A really quite warm and exhilarating film that manages to bring women's lives to the fore.

Making so many points about womens lives - that the viewers enjoyment often gets forgotten. - Saint Frances review by mb

Agree with this bit of the previous review, except perhaps the word "witty"

"The film takes the issue of women's rights of control over their own bodies very seriously and the narrative looks at the everyday issues of menstruation, sex, relationship, breast feeding and post natal depression, and these are dealt with in a witty script that is taboo busting and intimate. It shows the absurdities of life for modern women and how navigating societies intolerance can be a tough call".

I felt would be better focusing on fewer topics and having a deeper story.

The 6 year old has a sparkling screen presence, and rescued the film for me.