The Tale

The Tale, released in 2018, is a harrowing drama that serves as a piercing exploration of memory, trauma, and the distressing psychological impact of sexual abuse. This autobiographical film from writer and director Jennifer Fox features outstanding performances from a seasoned cast including Laura Dern, Jason Ritter, and Common.

The film plunges into the turbulent depths of self-discovery and suppressed memories as its narrative unfurls. Laura Dern stars as Jennifer, a successful documentary filmmaker who's known for her candid and noteworthy explorations of difficult subject matter on screen. In her own life, Jennifer has carefully maintained an image of stability and calm, living comfortably with her doting boyfriend, played by Common. This veneer begins to crack when a short story, written by her thirteen-year-old self, emerges from the recesses of her childhood belongings.

Jennifer’s mother, a deeply unsettled character sensitively portrayed by Ellen Burstyn, comes across this alarming piece of writing that describes, in a casual and naïve prose, a "special" relationship that Jennifer carried with two adults in her childhood. It's a significant narrative filled with dark undertones behind the adolescent author's attempt to tell it as a passionate, heartfelt crush.

Jennifer, now a mature woman in her 50s, is prompted into a journey that sets her spiraling down the rabbit hole of her own past. This refocuses the complacent view of her childhood filled with horse-riding lessons and summer sunshine into an eerie narrative of grooming and abuse.

What seems to set The Tale apart from other films featuring similar themes is the unique way it handles the voyage into the past. Director Jennifer Fox ingeniously employs the concept of Jennifer's own memory as an unreliable narrator. The scene of a memory can be re-shot, individuals can be swapped, ages adjusted, and details altered as Jennifer's comprehension of her traumatic past evolves.

Jason Ritter delivers an unsettling and poignant performance as Bill, a running coach and one component of the "couple" with whom the young Jennifer becomes entangled. Ritter's character is unnervingly persuasive, creating a representation that forces the viewer to grapple with the unsettling realities of manipulation, grooming, and abuse.

There are several heartbreaking performances from younger cast members, particularly Isabelle Nélisse who plays the young Jennifer, the innocent and 'resilient' girl whose perception of her experiences is manipulated by the individuals around her.

Laura Dern’s performance is nothing short of phenomenal. Her remarkable portrayal of mature Jennifer’s increasing horror and sadness as she pieces together the fragmented narrative of her past is deeply moving. Dern's character brings out the most excruciating tension within the film - the realization of an adult having to deal with the suppressed trauma of her childhood.

Despite its disturbing content, The Tale is not a narrative characterized by despair. Instead, it offers an unwaveringly brave depiction of the power of resilience and the healing force of truth. Fox combines moments of extreme vulnerability with sharp shots of power and strength as Jennifer grapples with how this traumatic part of her past shapes her present but doesn't define her future.

With the backdrop of a societal climate struggling to come to terms with the realities of sexual harassment and abuse, The Tale is a timely film that seems to peer directly into the heart of this narrative. It refuses to soften the harsh truths or shelter its audience from the brutal reality of the complexity of victimhood, denial, and self-deception.

The film also contains a meta-narrative where Jennifer, a filmmaker, uses her own documentary techniques to investigate her past. This adds another layer of complexity, blurring the line between reality and memory, highlighting and questioning the very nature of storytelling.

Common provides a solid backdrop in his role as Jennifer's ever-supportive boyfriend, Martin. His character provides a subtle yet powerful contrast to Bill, a symbol of the potential equilibrium that human relationships could have, with its underlying themes of trust, understanding, and respect.

In essence, The Tale is a brave, unflinching examination of memory, abuse, and the long-lasting effects of trauma. Its genius lies in its innovative storytelling techniques and superb performances from the leads. It is a pertinent watch that demands to be seen and discussed for its stark portrayal of a survivor’s journey through denial, realization, and eventually healing.