My Art

My Art is an introspective film that delves into the dynamics of creativity, personal fulfillment, and the often-challenging journey of self-discovery. Released in 2016, this movie is the directorial debut of Laurie Simmons, who also wrote the screenplay and stars in the lead role. Known for her creatively rich and prolific career as a visual artist, Simmons transfers her distinct artistic voice from the canvas to the big screen, making My Art, a skillful exploration of art, aging, and femininity.

The story centers around Ellie Shine (Laurie Simmons), a single, 60-something year-old woman who resides in New York City, making her living as a seasoned professor of visual arts. Yearning for more personal fulfillment and desperate to rejuvenate her artistic passion despite her advancing years, Ellie rents a charming, upstate summer house and sets to work on creating new art installations. These installations live beyond the conventional, involving a series of re-enactments of classic film scenes, from popular titles to the more obscure cinematic gems.

Ellie's creative process in the film is as much an exploration of herself as of the scenes she attempts to recreate. Along the journey, her world is populated by a range of intriguing characters, including the well-known actors Blair Brown and Robert Clohessy, who portray people Ellie encounters at different stages of her journey. Brown plays an aging theater actress who is drawn to Ellie’s work, while Clohessy is the local gardener with artistic aspirations of his own.

Also lending to this creditable cast is Grace Dunham, who touches a chord as Ellie’s insightful pupil. Their interactions afford Ellie a new perspective on her work and a new appreciation for the distinctive voice she offers as an older woman in the art world. And as times go by, it's not long before Ellie's circle of acquaintances begin to get drawn into her art in unexpected ways.

In between this, the picturesque beauty of the countryside seamlessly blends with the creativity on display, both serving as crucial elements the film employs to underscore its central themes. The film presents a visual feast, with beautifully shot landscapes providing a vibrant, contrasting backdrop to the controlled chaos of New York City's art scene, allowing viewers to embroil themselves in Ellie’s world.

As a commentary, My Art, thoughtfully explores the struggles faced by female artists in a profoundly youth-oriented society. Ellie is a character who refuses to let societal norms and stereotypes bury her aspirations and hinders her creative process. She fights against the narrative that her advancing age may stifle creativity, but rather, she proves that it can inspire and deepen it.

Simmons delivers an outstanding performance, her nuanced acting draws audience into Ellie's world, where the line between the art she creates and the life she leads begins to blur. She amalgamates an essential human connection with her character that resonates with the audience, making Ellie’s journey one that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their understanding or passion for art.

My Art is a delicate, subtle story of self-exploration and renewal. Both engaging and inspiring, it's a film that stimulates a dialogue about the place of senior artists in the modern world, a topic so often overlooked. It’s a heartwarming movie, perfect for those seeking a film with depth, complexity, and authentic characters.

In all, the film serves as a testament to the transformative power of art. Ellie is a character that, within the span of a summer, uses her art installations as a catalyst to unlock a deeper understanding of who she is, as well as the world that surrounds her. She inspires and gets inspired, she shapes, and is shaped by, the lives of her collaborators. My Art is a celebration of the resilience of the creative spirit and a reminder that age is not a barrier to personal and artistic reinvention.