Children of divorced parents may find themselves physically and emotionally scattered from the breakup.
Through the sweet brown eyes of this little girl, What Maisie Knew (based on Henry James' 1897 novel) illustrates the extreme end of that spectrum. Neglect plagues her as her rocker mother and businessman father put their careers before her welfare. But regardless of adversities the Manhattan elementary school darling faces, she never gets phased or loses her sense of self. There's a silver lining in that Maisie's (Onata Aprile) parents chose compassionate surrogate guardians who give Maisie what she's always wanted: Love.
The title wisely plays out. Given Maisie's young age, she has such a strong sense of self and knowledge of what she wants in life. Directors David Siegel and Scott McGehee depict her as a delicate doll whom you cannot help but feel empathy and love for. Arriving home from school before her parents return from work, she'll help her doorman place mail in her neighbors' boxes like Santa's little helper. Whenever she sees a loved one, she'll run toward him or her with open arms despite how poorly they've acted in times past. The child symbolizes a perfect circle impervious to grave emotional pain and suffering, sensations further developed in adolescence and adulthood.
It's remarkable how many men Susanna (Julianne Moore) woos, how many times she keeps Maisie under her wing but then shoos her away.
"You don't deserve her," says husband Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgård) after he and Susanna's former babysitter turned ex-husband's wife Margo (Joanna Vanderham) run into the mother randomly in Chinatown. Unlike Susanna and her cold ex-hubby Beale (Steve Coogan, Philomena), Lincoln and Margo truly want to take care of Maisie. They may or may not have that opportunity given Beale's London move and Susanna's tour dates.
After making one last attempt to reconnect with Maisie, Susanna lets her daughter chose her path. While some might think this is the best decision she could've made for her child's happiness and future, you might wonder how a mother can finally let go of her child, why she allows her daughter to pick her destiny rather than mold it for her.
As much as she loves her biological parents, Maisie prefers feeling safe and knowing what tomorrow holds rather than taking too many risks. The story regrettably seems relevant in today's world, yet heart-warming in that people make the most of what they have and desire love. - LIZ KOBAK