In tone and aesthetic, Phyllida Lloyd's 'Herself' is reminiscent of dramatic, intimate films by Ken Loach or Mike Leigh. Sadly, neither the script nor the treatment of the story are up to the task of the great films directed by those veteran British filmmakers. While it has its good intentions, solid performances, and is well-told by the filmmakers who obviously have invested an inkling of heart into the effort, the film serves up some clichés and struggles to maintain a balance between a heartwarming story of a mother's love and commentary on a system that stacks the odds against the victim.
Review of Herself
