The dependably astonishing Cynthia Nixon is Emily Dickinson in A Quiet Passion, the latest in Terence Davies’ exquisitely made string of costume dramas. Despite being set in the early 1900s, it has a depressing relevance: “Live as a woman for a week, Austin,” Emily spits at her brother, “and you will find it neither congenial nor trivial.” Girl. This feminism led to Dickinson’s famous lifelong aloneness, but she comes off defiant and true to herself, not like a sad or crazy bitch and hey, how bout them poems? Is great art worth a terrible life in which you see no success? Do a double feature with Maudie; you will find this question neither congenial nor trivial.
This article appears in May 4-10, 2017.