Review: Pieces of a Woman and Fatale

January always brings a lull in the quality of films but the Vanessa Kirby led Pieces of a Woman and the Hilary Swank thriller Fatale do not bode well for our 2021 viewing prospects.

More about Pieces of a Woman:

Martha  and Sean  are a Boston couple on the verge of parenthood whose lives change irrevocably when a home birth ends in unimaginable tragedy. Thus begins a yearlong odyssey for Martha, who must navigate her grief while working through fractious relationships with Sean and her domineering mother (Ellen Burstyn), along with the publicly vilified midwife (Molly Parker), whom she must face in court. Directed by Kornél Mundruczó (WHITE GOD, winner of the 2014 Prix Un Certain Regard Award), written by Kata Wéber.

Starring: Vanessa Kirby, Shia LeBouf, Ellen Burstyn, and Molly Parker.

More about Fatale:

After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life. F​ ATALE​ is a suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller and an unpredictable game of cat and mouse where one mistake can change your life.

Starring: Hilary Swank, Michael Ealy, Mike Colter, Danny Pino, Tyrin Turner.