AWAKENINGS // A FILM REVIEW OF "THE DELIVERED (FANNY LYE DELIVER'D)"
Already a massive critical hit from being released in the UK last year, THE DELIVERED (which was then known as FANNY LYE DELIVER'D) has come to VOD, releasing everywhere else. Fans of Game of Thrones will recognize Charles Dance, but much of the rest of the cast aren't as well known in the states, adding an authentic layer of the unknown into the story. What follows was one of the more unique film experiences I've had recently, both good and bad.
The plot centers around Fanny Lye (Maxine Peake), her husband John (Charles Dance) and son Arthur (Zak Adams). It's 1657, just briefly after the English Civil War and Fanny lives a simple life with her family, though not one of much freedom. When she tries to discipline her own child, her husband calls him away telling him, "Don't ever let a woman get the best of you," as if this is a great life lesson he is teaching. He also "teaches" them by whipping them. A shining example, for sure. Fanny went from servant to respected wife of a soldier when marrying John, so it seems that putting up with his terrible ways is something she "feels" that she should do. While attending Mass one day, a wandering naked couple show up in their barn, stealing clothes so they have something on their backs, only to be discovered later that day by John. The couple, Thomas (Freddie Fox) and Rebecca (Tanya Reynolds), tell a sob story of why they ended up naked and searching for a place to stay. John hesitantly buys it and allows them to stay for the night, only to be visited by the Sheriff, Deputy and town Constable looking for a pair of heretics. Suddenly it becomes very clear that Thomas and Rebecca are not quite what they seem.
The setup to THE DELIVERED is quiet and unassuming, adding layers of ominous danger at every corner. What follows is the reveal of who Thomas and Rebecca are (which is expected) and a lot of long speeches of religious pondering (which is not). It's not that the scenes don't work on their own, but the focus of the film seems to always be shifting, as if to keep you off balance. It works well I suppose, sometimes frustratingly so. There is also narration throughout, letting you know that at least one character will survive the mess intact. The narration is both needed for explanation throughout and also a letdown that filmmaker, wtier/director Thomas Clay, had to rely on it so much). Thomas uses many shocking examples to prove his point on the danger of Puritan values, with mixed results. The speeches are often powerful and finely delivered. The sexual example he gives is meant to be liberating but comes off as more offputting and uncomfortable. Thomas has a lot to say about life, but he himself is also deeply flawed. Perhaps that's the point, but taking away any "lessons" from a character like Thomas seems to get harder and harder as the film goes along.
The performances are all quite strong, especially the understated Maxine Peake as Fanny Lye. She has a power deeply underneath her protective shell and Peake accesses it perfectly. The act of rebellion that Fanny eventually does is ultimately not entirely satisfying, but her journey there is strong. The set design and lush landscapes are perfect, drawing you so deeply into this world that you can nearly smell the sawdust on the wooden floors and feel the crackling fire whistling away. For all of the good that the film achieves, it also has much that distracts, such as extreme and sudden close-ups and long and labored swirling camera shots (one near the end swirls around a character so much it actually begins to fall into parody). Overall, THE DELIVERED (FANNY LYE DELIVER'D) is a mixed bag. Full of rich characters and fine performances that often get overshadowed by the films need to scream when it should whisper.
GRADE: B
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY Thomas Clay STARRING Maxine Peake, Charles Dance, Freddie Fox, Tanya Reynolds, Zak Adams. NOW AVAILABLE ON VOD EVERYWHERE.