'Sorry, Baby' - A Film Review

Knowing that Sorry, Baby was a dramedy (drama and comedy) immediately put me on notice, perhaps unconsciously, to hold the film to a much higher standard.

It is one thing for a film to espouse light-hearted humour, and another to balance such jest against taboo and confronting themes.

Luckily, Eva Victor's film succeeds on both fronts.

Sorry, Baby recounts the fragmented years following the assault of a bright literary PhD candidate, Agnes, by her academic supervisor. The film is a sobering reminder that 'bad things' happen in life, with or without our consent, and while there may be other people to blame, only we can allow ourselves to move forward.

The story is set against dreamy rural landscapes and picturesque small-town scenes– a rich display of cinematic visuals for viewers. Its dialogue almost felt mechanical and diluted at specific points– accentuated by prolonged silences and curt responses. However, such sparse dialogue meant each actor's performance shone with measured intention and potent resonance.

Not so much as a sideways glance was left to chance– Eva Victor (Director, Writer and Actor) portrayed Agnes with meticulous detail and grounded realism. Close-up shots of Agnes in the bathtub, mere hours after the 'bad thing', left the audience transfixed on her next words.

The film's run time was just over 100 minutes– a welcome reprieve from the increasingly extended films on the big screen today. Sorry, Baby holds its ground as a gut-wrenching, tender film as much about resilience, friendship and profound strength as it is about undeniable tragedy and loss.

If you want to indulge yourself in a shorter film that holds your attention without sacrificing substance, even taking the time to make you laugh amidst dramatic crescendos and heartwarming encounters between unlikely companions, Victor's Sorry, Baby is the A24 film to watch this spring.

"I'm sorry that bad things are going to happen to you. I hope they don't. If I can't ever stop something from being bad, let me know. But, sometimes, bad stuff just happens. That's why I feel bad for you in a way. That you're alive, and you don't know that yet. But I can still listen, and not be scared. So that's good, or that's something, at least."

—Agnes, 'Sorry, Baby'

Craccum extends its thanks to 818 for the special opportunity to preview the film ahead of its NZ premiere and share a review with our student film community.

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