Josephine Doe is a 2018 drama about two women who find themselves in trouble with the law, but there are secrets between them that change everything.
After her father dies, Claire (Erin Cipolletti) finds that her somewhat estranged sister Angie (Elisabeth Bennett) has inherited the house and old book store, leaving her with a few hundred bucks, though she can keep her job behind the counter at the shop. Already a bit of a downer, Claire seems immovable before she meets Josephine (Emma Griffin), a blonde girl the same age who just kind of shows up looking to get Claire out and about. The two hit it off and a fast friendship sees them connecting but it’s not long before Jo reveals a dark side and Claire finds herself in serious trouble. However, is any of it is as it seems?
It’s a little hard to sink into the details of director Ryan Michael‘s moody black & white film without giving up its hook, one that is revealed fairly early enough in the movie that I almost feel obligated to give it up, but think it wiser to not. Written by Cipolletti, the story is a real tragedy and while the plot’s conceit is not entirely original, there’s plenty in its delivery that is.
Claire is a desperately isolated and sorrowful young woman with a host of issues that are only slightly alluded to within her limited relationships, making Josephine almost crucial in helping her to simply survive. Josephine inspires in Claire her only moments of joy, building in her confidence to unload about her past. What we learn though is that Claire is in a spiral and the small town recognizing that she is slipping out of reach, most especially Angie, who is having trouble knowing what to do.
Josephine Doe is a very quiet film, talky and filmed in tight closeups that are framed in deep ebony shadows, lending it an emotional burden that feels immensely appropriate for the weight Claire straddles on her back. At about an hour and ten minutes, it walks a difficult line that it handles well, the lineage in Claire’s family looming over her like a slowly encroaching, inescapable void destined to consume her. It’s a heartbreaking reality.
Led by an impressive performance, Josephine Doe is a small film with modest ambitions, intent mostly to travel us through the deeply troubling labyrinth of Claire’s descent and her anchored relationship with Josephine. It does this very well. Purposefully minimal with barely a score and very little flair, this is a simple yet elegantly told personal story with genuine impact.