Justine (II) (2019) User Reviews

A good character study but not much else

[TamPalm · 6/10 · 8 April 2020]

Good acting was the only thing that made this slow, brooding film watchable. It's clear the writer/director/lead actress had a clear vision for the film but I'm not sure she accomplished much past showcasing her admittedly great acting skills. Maybe too good in that the character was so cold as to be unlikable. In fact all of the actors, including the kids, turned in strong performances. But it's the story, plot, etc that left a lot to be desired.

It meandered on. Lots and lots of dead space with the camera stuck on the lead character's sour face staring into nowhere or doing something trivial like staring at her phone. And while most of the story didn't give enough, there were random parts thrown in that tried way too hard like the "racist" angle. Really didn't seem to have a point except to provide a sanctimonious liberal a sounding board.

Ultimately I just think the movie wanted to be more than it was. The plot was too thin, not enough background provided, and the theme to the extent there was one, was oversold. Made for a dark movie with very little light and payoff for the audience. So in the end, you're just left with a solid acting showcase and not much else.

True as life is

[mellevair · 7/10 · 30 March 2020]

This is as real is life gets. If your looking for a Hollywood blockbuster, this is your cue. Leave. If you want a true portrait of human reaction. This is your time to stay. Maybe to reflect, maybe to heal. This is as real as it gets. Not that this is every persons realm of reality. This is just someone's chapter.

Interesting

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 20 April 2020]

This is a film dealing with racism in a biracial family with interesting characters but ending without an ending and therefore incomplete.

Learn to use a real camera !

[guckes · 21 March 2020]

Why do we need to see shaky filming ? It's ridiculous ! Learn to hold the camera still ! For the love of God, please !!

Overall worth watching

[holm-33228 · 7/10 · 3 May 2020]

It's a feel good movie for a lazy day at home. It starts out slow but it does gets better

Ok

[DVK1234 · 6/10 · 17 April 2022]

This movie really captured my interest at the beginning and then fell flat. Disappointed with the ending. All the characters were good and I particularly liked the relationship between grandfather and grandchildren, but something was missing in this movie. Also liked Justine, of course.

Authentic and heartwarming

[andy-05611 · 9/10 · 23 March 2020]

Without resorting to typical cinematic conflicts this movie draws you in slowly into the writer's heart and resolves with a Hollywood ending that somehow manages to feel absolutely real. A quiet gem of a movie.

Under-rated slice of life

[awvknj · 7/10 · 8 March 2023]

This film helps you to inhabit the space of the lead character's, numb, grieving world. For those who judge it as boring and nothing going on that's because you weren't able to put yourself in her shoes. As the story unfolded we begin to understand the grief that is being experienced. We are invited to share it with Lisa, and the frustration, her children, and Papa Don are feeling as she continues to move, woodenly through her days. But in spite of herself, she finds herself connecting to her ward Justine, and eventually her wooden demeanor cracks, and her anger comes out at Justine's parents. Of course it wasn't appropriate, but she was feeling again and then going home finally succumbed to the grief she had kept so far away. The ending was acceptable, but a little too cliché, that suddenly these people who seem so racist, just announce that they're not. I think a little bit more was required to bridge that abrupt change for the characters because we didn't get to see why or how they overcame their prejudice and began to accept this nanny but all in all I thought it was a worthwhile story and definitely didn't deserve all the negative ratings.

Touched my heart

[freejoyhart · 9/10 · 19 March 2020]

Such a heart felt real life story. I felt like I was right there amongst all the characters as the story played out! The dialogue & the acting was so authentic & believable! I hope they make more movies like this one!

Virtiginous camera work

[biljao258 · 3/10 · 22 August 2020]

It's a slice of life story with pathos, tragedy and social relevance . The acting is quite capable but the three child actors tend to outshine. The main problem with the movie is that it appears to be completely shot with a single hand held camera -- this gives some immediacy and intimacy to the story, but it becomes virtually unwatchable in places with excessive use of 'sweep' shots.

Just what I needed

[mmoya-00880 · 10/10 · 9 April 2020]

People have really missed the true meaning behind this movie, I'm watching again in the same day. I am a nanny and can relate soooo much, the grieving process of losing someone and feeling lost, Justine having spina bífida. How often do we see a movie this raw?????? I also have a shunt like Justine, I have had many surgeries and replacements. I sobbed so hard just for The simple fact that FINALLY hydrocephalus and shunts are depicted in a movie. Thank goodness for this movie and the writer and director who gave a voice to those who feel unheard.

Dark and depressing

[snelten1 · 4/10 · 4 April 2020]

I couldn't get past her selfishness and disregard for her own kids.

Moving and real

[livmcintosh · 9/10 · 26 March 2020]

Very moving and very real. All characters were completely believable and complex. Without over dramatizing this beautiful story, Stephanie Turner manages to say so much about the attitudes in the United States and on a deeper level how we all have a human connection. I could go on about many aspects of this film that I enjoyed and appreciated. Well done to Stephanie Turner for her fantastic performance, writing and directing.

Loved it!

[nancyturner-63063 · 10/10 · 9 July 2020]

I enjoyed this slice of life drama. Of course I didn't like how Lisa treated her kids and father in law but that is a real life picture of a woman grieving and not acting like herself. In the end she shows she is beginning to come to terms with everything. As did justines parents.

Perfect cure for insomnia

[elect_star · 2/10 · 15 April 2020]

What can I saw. It's a slow, boring, unoriginal snooze fest. Also the camera work here is horrendous.

touching and real

[lucasleegreenwaldt · 9/10 · 22 March 2020]

From start to finish this movie felt incredibly real. The lack of major conflict accurately depicts real life day-to-day struggle. It may not be everyone's cup of tea being that it is relatively stagnant in terms of growth and resolution. Although, I will say that the lack of growth really allows you to commend the characters when they tackle minor battles. The acting is very authentic and allows for great character development. I personally do not think that this movie paints a negative image of white people (as one reviewer said), instead I think that it delved into touchy topics in a realist way. I would recommend this to anyone considering watching!

No conflict

[arapaimax · 2/10 · 21 March 2020]

The entire movie your waiting for something major or dramatic to happen and you feel like there is hints that there is going to be, but never happens. There is barely any conflict, the dialog is way too PC mostly and there is no closure of an ending. The good thing is the kid actors are cute and bring the only joy to the movie especially Justine. The movie feels very incomplete and is very very quiet. Kind of a waste of time, anticlimactic.

Good story but bad filming

[cinema_e_afins · 24 March 2020]

I almost couldn't finish the movie, the constant movement of the camera gave me a headache.

Heartwarming

[markarslan-25994 · 10/10 · 1 April 2020]

A nice easy watching sad but heartwarming movie, well acted well scripted if you have a heart you will love this movie

Divine!

[kristenhp · 10/10 · 3 June 2020]

Beautifully written, acted, & shot. There's very timely lessons on race, grief, & people with disabilities

Slow and frustrating

[kimberfinds · 2/10 · 23 March 2020]

The lead actress is very frustrating. I understand that losing your husband is a terrible tragedy, but this woman acts like she is the first person to ever go through this. She completely shuts out her children and father in law, who also are grieving! Completely self centered, she only can see her own pain. Lots of minutes watching her blank expressions. Felt so sorry for the children. Grandpa was the hero. Hope no one in real life acts this way!

A must watch!

[ozludamla · 10/10 · 2 June 2021]

I can't believe the rating of this movie. It should be at least 7.7 but I gave it a 10.

The children actors are unbelievably talented as well as their roles being very cool and natural.

Disappointing from start to finish

[alcof89 · 2/10 · 22 March 2020]

Anticlimax throughout. Hard to like any of the characters, with little reason given for emotions expressed. Characters are given insights which aren't really shown during their screen time, a lot of the characters aren't utilized making the overall film quite dull and uneventful.

What a performance!

[nuriveben · 10/10 · 2 June 2021]

An amazingly sincere, real movies of last years. Stephany Turner acting performance is unbelievable!

Depicts multiple realities

[jillianmourning · 8/10 · 10 March 2023]

Is this a fast-paced blockbuster? No.

It's a slower slice of life depicting realities of grief, racism, medical conditions, the pressure and hope of a "normal" family and more.

We see a woman who has lost her husband (shot in the military in "friendly" fire,) who is grieving. She's closed off, has her wall up, trouble interacting with her children and FIL, and trying to figure out life. In her getting a job as a caretaker for a child with spinal bifida, we see her soften and make a human connection. I'm doing so we see the judgments on a child with a medical condition from other children, her parents who want her living in a bubble, and said parents who have a troubled marriage and allow their racism to show. Now she's working for a family who acts as if she's less than but she deeply cares for their daughter.

We see a grandfather stepping up to care for his grandkids while his DIL figured out her grief.

It's a heartwarming film that should click with empaths and those who can connect with others.

I wish there had been a bit more of an ending versus we see her sorta smile and try to start connecting with her kids again.

Nevertheless, I'm glad I watched it.