Review: The Deliverance

Random Watching Saturday

Saw a really good movie on Netflix last night: The Deliverance. No, not that Deliverance — THE Deliverance, starring Glenn Close in an almost unrecognizable role as the cancer-ridden grandmother in a dysfunctional family. 

I thought it was going to be a family drama, and it was, but I didn’t read the description before I clicked Play. I saw the trailer with Close and Oscar nominee Andra Day as her character’s daughter in a tense scene, and I was hooked. After a long first act, it turned out to be a horror flick about possession (“inspired by a true story”.) I would not have watched if I’d known. I was not in the mood for horror. But Close*, 77, is one of the great underrated actresses of her generation, who just keeps on churning out movies that make you think, and I’m very glad I clicked.

Directed by Oscar-nominated Lee Daniels (Precious), the acting and writing were superb. It felt true to life, with realistic tensions between family members and the struggles of a single mom trying to take care of her children, bogged down by money problems. Having gone through some of that myself, I could relate.

The surprise was Close’s character, something I’ve never seen on screen or heard talked about: a white grandmother of a Black family who has a thing for Black men—and dresses like she’s still a ‘hot mama’ in her 70s—flirting (while undergoing chemo!) and generally acting outrageous, yet real. The reactions of other characters to her behavior and dress made me realize that this is not unusual in Black communities.

The other difference about this film was that Close was the only major white character, but she was not a white savior, not even close (with apologies for the pun.) Day was amazing as the exhausted young mother, trying to deal with the stresses of raising three children in poverty and taking care of her ailing mother, under the judgmental eye of Mo’Nique’s social worker, who thinks Day is abusing the kids. And it looks like she is abusing them — at first.  

I don’t usually remember movies enough to compel me to write a review, but this one is still on my mind, not because of the horror — it’s far more than that — but the story, the characters, the acting and the writing. Daniels, Close, and Day deserve at least another Oscar nomination apiece for this one.

It’s on Netflix. If you love great writing and acting (and don’t mind horror), watch and tell me what you think.

*I heard a fascinating interview with Close a while back, and was surprised to learn that she grew up in a cult. Definitely worth a listen.