Title: Janet Planet
Year: 2024
Genre: Drama
Rating: 6
Cast: Julianne Nicholson, Zoe Ziegler, Will Patton, Sophie Okonedo, Elias Koteas
Description: The humid breath of a Massachusetts summer, 1991, hangs heavy in Annie Baker’s “Janet Planet,” a film that isn’t just set in rural nostalgia, but breathes it. Julianne Nicholson delivers a mesmerizing performance as Janet, a woman whose quiet magnetism draws three distinct visitors into her life, mirroring the captivating pull of Lacy’s (Zoe Ziegler) burgeoning imagination. This isn't a plot-driven narrative; it’s a character study, a delicate exploration of maternal connection and the mysteries hidden beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. Will Patton, Sophie Okonedo, and Elias Koteas each contribute nuanced portrayals that add layers to this intimate portrait of a summer, a family, and the unspoken complexities of human relationships. Baker masterfully crafts a melancholic yet hopeful atmosphere, leaving the audience pondering the enduring power of connection long after the credits roll.