Movie Review: ‘Janet Planet’

Review by James Lindorf

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker is making her feature filmmaking debut as the writer and director of A24’s latest project, “Janet Planet.” Baker may be in her 40s now, but she has dreamed of making a film since she was six. A precursor to what would become “Janet Planet” was sitting on her laptop for nearly 20 years, right after her college graduation until the pandemic’s start. The 2020 lockdowns gave her the time to focus on the screenplay when she wasn’t busy raising her own daughter. A24 began releasing the film in limited markets on June 21st and will continue to expand.

It is the summer of 1991, and 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) lives in rural Western Massachusetts with her single mother, Janet (Julianne Nicholson). Lacy spends time practicing the piano, relaxing in the woods surrounding their home, and showering in her mother’s attention. As the months pass, three visitors are pulled into Janet’s orbit, captivated by her caring and free-spirited nature. The first person to visit is Wayne (Will Patton), an acupuncture patient turned boyfriend of few words. Wayne’s most significant contribution in Lacy’s eyes is that he has a daughter her age with whom Lacy can be friends. The second person spending time with them this summer is Regina (Sophie Okonedo), an old friend who reconnects with Janet after a theater performance in a remote park. The third summer visitor is Avi (Elias Koteas), the charismatic leader of the theater group, which might also be a cult. No matter how long they stay, each of the three has an impact on Lacy, Janet, and their relationship.

The casting process was filled with highs and lows for Baker. The high was bringing in Nicholson as she was her first choice to play Janet. Nicholson is from Massachusetts, like Baker. She grew up in a cabin with her herbalist mother, like Lacy. Baker and Nicholson even bought their first bras at the same JCPenney featured in the movie. With a small human-driven story, it is great for a director to be able to connect with their actors, and this pair clearly had some great building blocks for that. The casting of Lacy is a much different story. Baker and the team watched thousands of tapes and saw dozens, if not more, of girls in person. It wasn’t until two months before filming started that Zoe Ziegler decided to audition despite the fact she had never been in a movie, a television show, or even a school play. With a combination of natural talent and good direction, she was able to turn in a believable performance of a peculiar little girl no one would fault. There is little to say about the main supporting cast. We have seen most of them be fantastic for years, and that didn’t change here.

“Janet Planet” is a unique exploration of the evolving relationship of mothers and daughters. Janet is Lacy’s whole world, and in her mind, there was nothing to Janet beyond that fact. Sure, Janet had to work, but that was to provide for them. However, her thoughts, desires, and fears all had to revolve around Lacy like the sun bringing light to her life, right? The truth of the matter is that Lacy and Janet have a loving and unhealthy relationship. Overdependence and oversharing, depression, and poor decisions made to cure loneliness or horniness will only lead to further complications. How their relationship will continue to evolve beyond this summer is unclear when credits roll. Still, things seem to be heading in a direction that will make them better people and a better family. The film’s cinematography, under the direction of Annie Baker, is a visual treat, capturing the beauty of the rural setting. For many audiences, “Janet Planet” may be a bit too unusual or move a bit too slow, not a unique statement for an A24 film, but it was well shot and directed, wonderfully acted, and earned a 3.5 out of 5 from me.

Title: Janet Planet
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, some drug use and thematic elements
Runtime: 1h 50m
Director: Annie Baker
Producer: Dan Janvey, Derrick Tseng, Annie Baker, Andrew Goldman
Screenwriter: Annie Baker
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Present Company
Release Date (Theaters): June 21st, 2024