Union Square

Union Square, a 2011 movie directed by Nancy Savoca, commences when a louche and glamorous woman named Lucy (Mira Sorvino) shows up out of the blue in the titular New York City locale, seeking refuge from a tumultuous relationship. The film provides a powerhouse vehicle for two extraordinarily talented actresses – Mira Sorvino and Tammy Blanchard – unfolding their characters’ stories in the backdrop of an emotionally turbulent family drama.

In this edgy independent production, Sorvino's character Lucy is a flamboyant, manipulative and exceptionally needy personality, who always seems to be either on the brink of a breakdown or in the middle of a tantrum. She bursts into the life of her estranged, introverted and control-freak sister Jenny, portrayed by the equally spectacular Tammy Blanchard. The entire movie doesn't take place in Union Square but primarily in Jenny’s nearby flat and boutique - a minimalistic, pristine environment signifying her efforts to maintain a rigid control on her life. With Lucy's unexpected visit bringing the chaos, grim realities, and emotional baggage of Jenny's past back into her life, Savoca conveys a subtle critique of the dichotomy of lifestyle and societal standards.

An essential element of Union Square is the exploration of the sisters' past and their shared traumas. The sisters hail from the Bronx, but Blanchard's character Jenny, has managed to dramatically refashion her lifestyle. Now living with her staunch vegan fertiliser-business-owner boyfriend, Bill, played by the well-poised Mike Doyle, Jenny is trying to develop a much calmer and laid-back life in comparison to Lucy's flashy and turbulent one. She's also in the process of burying her roots, keeping her origins secret, and denying her rough-hewn past, having adopted a vegan lifestyle, a newfound air of elegance, and even a pretentious accent.

Union Square continues to effortlessly and excitingly depict the stark differences between the sisters. The vivacious Lucy shoplifts, binge-drinks, and chats up strangers, while the uptight Jenny prefers neatness, tranquility, and order in her life. The film provides a multitude of situations where these conflictual lifestyles clash.

Mira Sorvino and Tammy Blanchard, each with their distinctive performing methods, imbue their characters with depth and authenticity. Mira Sorvino, an Academy Award-winning actress, delivers a breathtaking performance as the audacious, flamboyant, reckless, yet strangely lovable Lucy. Blanchard, a Tony Award-nominated actress, splendidly encapsulates the role of a perturbed and rigid character, Jenny.

The tension between Tammy Blanchard's Jenny and Mira Sorvino's Lucy is palpable and serves as an undercurrent throughout the course of the film and is further bolstered by the excellent ensemble cast, particularly Patti LuPone in a brief but memorable role as the sisters' mother. The actors’ stellar performances paired with Savoca’s skilled direction result in a narrative-driven drama that explores a dynamic and complex sisterly relationship.

At its core, Union Square confronts the virtues of truth and the value of family. It humanely and empathetically illustrates how lies and pretensions can ruin relationships and injure self-esteem. It portrays the harsh but profound truth that people can't escape their roots and that the past often resurfaces despite fervent efforts to bury it. The film offers a dramatic, at times heart-wrenching, exploration of identity, class, and relationships within a contemporary urban milieu.

Union Square also possesses a unique tone folding together dark comedy and tension-induced drama with a balancing act of humor and implicit drama bringing in the grit of reality and escaping the trappings of the overly melodramatic.

Union Square is a brilliantly acted, well-scripted, and emotionally stirring film that explores the complexities of familial bonds, personal truths, and life-altering secrets. It exposes its audience to an authentic and often uncomfortable view of humanity, a striking commentary on identity, and the power of familial ties. Despite its nimble 80-minute running time, Union Square is an intricate character study that though intense, leaves the audience resonating with the emotional experience, long after the credits roll.

By means of its deeply nuanced characters, extraordinary performances, and a well-honed script, Union Square makes intelligent use of its compact narrative to powerfully drive home its thematic concerns. The result is a sharply observed slice-of-life drama that delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the pervasive influence of our pasts on our present.