The Novice

Lauren Hadaway’s first feature about an obsessive rower ultimately distances the viewer from its obsessive protagonist.

No, this is not a film set in a convent. Instead the title refers to a student, Alex Dall (Isabelle Fuhrman), who in her freshman year trains in rowing and makes a determined effort to become part of the university team. She is so devoted to this aim that for her it becomes an obsession. The consequence is that she never relaxes, pushes herself relentlessly and gives limited time to friends and to relationships. We meet her when achieving success in rowing has already become her central focus but it is clear that the need to prove herself had already manifested itself in her studies and in other spheres.

This prize-winning film marks the feature debut of its writer/director Lauren Hadaway and, whatever one feels about the project overall, there is no doubt that we are encountering a remarkable filmmaker. The chosen subject matter is striking in itself because most stories centred on an individual’s sporting endeavours almost always invite empathy and approval even if they show setbacks and they generally end on a note of ultimate triumph. In total contrast to all that, The Novice clearly emerges as a portrait of somebody who is so driven, so ready to believe that one’s worth is tied up with being seen as a success, that she is a victim, one trapped by her own excessive ambition. Hadaway’s film undoubtedly captures this intensity of feeling which is key in Isabelle Fuhrman's compelling portrayal of Alex.

Passages of fast editing add to the impact and, regardless of the less apt use of songs by Brenda Lee and others, Hadaway makes the soundtrack play a vital part in the film especially when it comes to the music score by Alex Weston. At times his work takes on an affinity with classical music which is not the most obvious fit but in fact his varied score makes a major contribution to the film. All of this serves to make The Novice a memorable first feature, yet I am quite unable to join with those critics who have praised it wholeheartedly.

In acclaiming the film some have compared it with Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash (2014) since both films feature training that becomes relentless (in the earlier film, the focus was on a young drummer with a martinet teacher). However, the great jazz in Whiplash enabled us to appreciate what was being aimed at and the screenplay subtly balanced the good and the bad in the central characters. In contrast, Alex's desire to be a great rower is not something with which the viewer can readily identify and, indeed, every time she is advised to relax but refuses to take any notice we side against her. Furthermore, for most of the film her stance remains fixed and adamant so development feels limited. Everything else in her life gets sidelined, including a lesbian relationship, so nothing exists to make us feel for her. We certainly believe in Alex Dall and, despite a few touches late on that feel overdone, her situation is for the most part conveyed by Hadaway with some brilliance. But do we really want to share in Alex's life?

MANSEL STIMPSON

Cast: Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Dilone, Jonathan Cherry, Jeni Ross, Kate Drummond, Charlotte Ubben, Sage Irvine, Chantelle Bishop, Al Bernstein, Eve Kanyo, Nikki Duval.

Dir Lauren Hadaway, Pro Ryan Hawkins, Kari Holland, Steven Sims and Zack Zucker, Screenplay Lauren Hadaway, Ph Todd Martin, Pro Des Eva Kozlova, Ed Nathan Nugent and Lauren Hadaway, Music Alex Weston, Costumes Alisa Krost and Kate Adams.

A Picture Movers production/H22 Media Group/RBF Productions/ZNZ production-Vertigo Releasing.
97 mins. USA. 2021. UK Rel: 1 April 2022. Cert. 15.