Joaquin Phoenix, Jeremy Renner and Marion Cotillard find themselves in a love triangle in this drama

James Grey Maybe he’s not a filmmaker who found mainstream success in the same way Christopher Nolan or Jordan Peele has, but he’s certainly been responsible for some of the best films in recent memory. Between his melancholic space opera Ad Astrahis adventure epic The Lost City of Zand its regretful coming-of-age drama Armageddon timeGray was a keen analyst of isolated characters with serious social problems. It’s perhaps not so surprising that Gray’s films are often overlooked by awards season voters, as they often prove to be quite cynical and unsparing in their condemnation of powerful institutions. It’s a gripping story of abuse and neglect that’s certainly not for the faint of heart, but Gray’s haunting contemporary drama The immigrant is a timely examination of the systemic problems at America’s borders and the threat of toxic masculinity.

What is “The Immigrant” about?

It takes place in New York City in 1921. The immigrant The focus is on two Polish sisters who immigrate to Ellis Islandwhere they look for a legitimate career after fleeing the war that has ravaged their homeland. Eva (Marion Cotillard) and Magda (Angela Sarafyan) faces possible deportation due to their lung disease, but they are saved by the charismatic charlatan Bruno (Joaquin Phoenix), who claims to be a member of the Traveler’s Aid Society. In fact, Bruno knows that Magda can only be released if Ewa makes money quickly, so he tricks her into becoming a prostitute. While Ewa remains temporarily trapped due to the power Bruno has over her, hope comes in the form of his cousin Emil (Jeremy Renner). Emil is just as in love with Ewa as his cousin, but he slowly realizes that she is being forced against her will to do activities that she finds very unpleasant.

Although on the surface the story may seem like a melodrama, Increase the performances The immigrant into something that feels much more authentic. Cotillard is heartbreaking in this role because it is established that she is not entirely naive; Ewa simply assumes that selling her body is part of the “American dream” she has chosen and that she should be grateful to simply be away from Poland. Phoenix has a long history of playing menacing villains in films like gladiator And jokerbut Bruno is a far more complex character who truly believes his intentions are noble. Bruno is so obsessed with Ewa that he believes he has more claim to her livelihood than she does; The calm, compassionate demeanor that Bruno displays towards himself only makes his occasional outbursts of anger all the more frightening.

“The Immigrant” is an underrated study of sexual politics

The immigrant is an in-depth examination of the inherently sexist nature of capitalism, because Ewa quickly realizes that she cannot afford the same opportunities that would have been offered to her as a man. Characters like Bruno place unrealistic expectations on her because of her beauty and seem to assume that she will completely submit to him because of her soft-heartedness. The romantic feelings Emil ultimately has for Ewa are more poignant because it is clear that he sees her as an individual first and a potential lover second. Even though Emil sees a future in which he and Ewa could live together, he feels obliged to rescue her from the bad situation, regardless of how their relationship ends.

The immigrant subverts expectations of a romantic drama because of the gentle, gradual approach Gray takes to the material. Gray points out that sincerity isn’t everything, as even the most disreputable people can have malicious intentions. The immigrant is both a tragedy and a reflection, showing that the lessons of the past should be remembered in the future.

The immigrant is streaming in the US on Peacock

Watch on Peacock