Earlier this week I watched Tideland by Terry Gilliam and the movie still hasn’t left my mind.
Because of the visuals, the stark contrast between fantasy and reality, the slightly taboo subject matter.
But more than anything by the performance of the main actress, Jodelle Ferland. Already very early on in the film I was surprised by her *presence*, but as the story progressed I became utterly enthralled. She plays a ~ 12 year old, while she herself was 9 at the time.
I don’t just rate her performance as a child actor, I compare it with any adult actor I’ve seen over the years and hers ranks as one of the very best.
She should have gotten an Oscar, no doubt about it.
Shoutout to Brendan Fletcher, who also gives a mesmerising performance.