Amber Wilkinson tackles a taboo
Danish director Marlene Emilie Lyngstad has ventured into the demanding realm of complex human experience with her debut film, Cute. Far from offering easy answers, the movie delves into the intricate, often uncomfortable, landscape of fear, memory, and fractured relationships, providing a stark cinematic look at the challenges of internal control and external performance.
At the heart of the narrative is Richard, portrayed by Jan Gunnar Røise, a character grappling with deeply conflicted desires. His struggle to manage these urges is complicated by the presence of his girlfriend’s seven-year-old daughter, Molly Kirk Rasmussen, who views him in a tender, albeit complicated, light as a stepdad. This dynamic immediately establishes a tension rooted in morality and the blurring lines of familial affection.
As Richard navigates these personal storms, his focus shifts to the profound reality of his mother, Karin Bertling. Dealing with her dementia introduces another layer of emotional weight, forcing Richard to confront themes of loss and the vulnerability of aging, especially as she prepares to move into a home setting.
The film masterfully weaves these intense personal struggles with the life of Stella, who enters Richard’s world as a caretaker. Stella not only manages the complexities of caring for Richard’s mother but also navigates her own precarious existence, earning money through performance as a Lolita cam girl—a public facade that serves as a stark contrast to the private, intense drama unfolding between Richard and Stella.
This convergence of lives—the unspoken fears, the performative identities, and the responsibility of caregiving—pushes the relationship between Richard and Stella into uncharted emotional territory. Their tentative connection becomes a powerful vehicle for exploring universal themes of loneliness and the intricate art of public and private performance.
Lyngstad’s work in Cute refuses to simplify these difficult realities. Instead, it invites the audience to sit within the uncomfortable truths of human experience, asking what happens when desires collide with responsibility, and what connections emerge from the deepest shadows of personal life.
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