NANCY (2018)

The trailer for Christina Choe's NANCY is somewhat misleading. While watching it, I got the impression that the film was a creepy psychological thriller. I was only slightly let down when I realized the film was not in any way a thriller, but satisfied that the concepts of "creepy" and, most importantly, "psychological" still applied.

Andrea Riseborough, resembling a slightly washed out version of Uma Thurman, plays Nancy Freeman, a thirty-five year old woman who lives with, and cares for, her elderly sick mother (Ann Dowd). She is a frustrated writer who works temp jobs and lives a fantasy existence through identities she creates for herself on the internet. (One of these fantasies involves John Leguizamo in a good performance.) After her mother dies unexpectedly, Nancy sees a news report on television about a couple (J. Smith-Cameron and Steve Buscemi) whose five year old daughter was kidnapped thirty years ago. Nancy becomes convinced that she may be their daughter, and after contacting them, goes for a visit. There is an understandable awkwardness between Nancy and the couple, but eventually there develops a certain amount of bonding and affection as the three of them await the results of a DNA test.

Because of the trailer and the constant sense of unease in the film, I kept expecting Nancy to go postal, grab the nearest meat cleaver, and start swinging. That doesn't happen. Instead, the story comes to a quiet conclusion. Somehow that seemed appropriate considering the quiet, hidden life of the title character and the sad, frustrated lives of the parents whose child was stolen from them so many years ago.

Solid performances by all concerned help make this unique story believable and involving. Special mention must be given to the ever dependable Steve Buscemi, who forgoes his trademark wide-eyed, sarcastic craziness, and brings to life a compassionate, caring husband.Well worth seeing.