After doing her laundry in her apartment building, an older woman walks down a stark hallway. She stops as she comes to the ladder that leads onto the roof. She hesitates before climbing and swinging open the door. She takes slow steps across the roof, removing her shoes as she nears the edge. With her toes hanging off the edge, you can hear her breathing quicken and despair take over as she contemplates the outcome of going any further.
Inspired by actual events, Woman on the Roof is a layered story centering on the devastating effects of depression, desperation, and neglect. Mira (Dorota Pomykala) is a 60-year-old woman living what looks to be a normal life, but not a happy one. She tiptoes around her own house so as not to disturb her husband, Julek (Bogdan Koca), and is somewhat ignored by her adult son, Mariusz (Adam Bobik). Her days are very routine, doing laundry and housework during the day and working as a midwife at night. She’s unassertive and withdrawn, living in a state of depression.
One day after buying fish food, she attempts to rob a bank. The bank clerk initially brushes her off as a joke until Mira pulls a small kitchen knife from her purse. Now a threat, Mira flees as the police are called. Not able to escape the consequences of this event, Mira sinks further into hopelessness, causing her to make more decisions out of desperation, leading her down a path that she, unfortunately, has to travel alone.
Everything about this film lends itself to the narrative created by writer/director Anna Jadowska, starting with its look. The film is bright, but in an overexposed way, washing out almost all vibrancy from the colors. Even the choice in clothing seems to eliminate any feelings of liveliness or even hope, creating an atmosphere of gloom. Adding to this visual representation of sadness, the film is incredibly quiet due to a minimal score. The muting of color and sound fits well within the theme of the film and provides the right amount of support for the performances.
The cast is undoubtedly talented. All the performances are noteworthy; however, Dorota Pomykala is masterful in her delivery of Mira. From the way she holds her head to the look in her eyes, Pomykala’s commitment to displaying all the aspects of Mira’s internal turmoil is flawless. Her scenes with Koca as Mira’s husband are heartbreaking. His disgust with his wife is palpable and really adds to the weight of the external reasons for Mira’s state of mind.
Not necessarily a story of triumph, but not full of woe either, Woman on the Roof balances depression and accountability with realism and respect. Though internally struggling, Mira still has to deal with the fallout of her choices. Watching her navigate alone is difficult but gives teeth to the need for support for those dealing with mental illness. By transforming despair into an aesthetic, Jadowska pulls you into this film while Pomykala’s performance keeps you there, compelling you to see Mira in a way that no one else in the film does — with compassion.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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