Julianne Nicholson is one of those actors who, anytime you see her name in the credits, you can trust that you’re likely to witness a truly great film. Janet Planet, the impressive feature debut from writer/director Annie Baker, doesn’t just meet this expectation, it surpasses it. Distributed by A24, Janet Planet is a tenderly told, slice-of-life film about a middle-aged single woman and her inquisitive 11-year-old daughter who show up for each other in different ways.

Summertime and the Living’s Easy

It’s the summer of 1991 in rural America. Western Massachusetts to be exact. Janet (Julianne Nicholson) and her boyfriend of the moment have just picked up her daughter Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) from summer camp, weeks earlier than intended. Lacy is a self-aware, quiet kid who–anticipating that she wouldn’t make friends quickly enough–drastically calls home in an attempt to avoid the embarrassment of summer camp isolation. On their way back to the family home, Lacy stares out of the backseat car window. The warm breeze blows down the highway while the radio plays a distinguishable tune. Lacy feels settled once again, knowing she is back with her mom for the rest of the summer.

The summer months play out onscreen through various relationships Janet engages in, both romantic as well as friendships. When three visitors enter Janet’s orbit, and by proxy Lacy’s as well, they bring out different sides of the mother/daughter duo. The way each person affects Janet and Lacy is captured with slow and steady precision. Janet camouflages into a caretaker, a lovesick romantic, and a loyal disciple depending on who she spends her time with. It becomes clear that despite lacking unwavering confidence, Janet is always just trying to do what she thinks is right. Lacy is reactionary to her mother’s personality shifts, as any child would be. By the end of the summer, Lacy realizes that she is morphing into her own unique existence, independent of her mother’s adult world.

Watch the Janet Planet trailer here.

The Organic World and Sound of Janet Planet

Encapsulated in warmth and earnestness, the film’s best moments come as we observe Lacy letting her imagination run wild. Interpreting the world through her eyes as she attends hippie dance performances and eavesdrops on grown-up conversations, Lacy’s childlike wonder and unassuming naivety hit the right sweet notes. I have a feeling Lacy and Olive from Little Miss Sunshine would have become best friends forever.

Contrary to the assumption, Janet Planet moreso follows the character development of Lacy than Janet. However, it’s Julianne Nicholson who anchors the film with her quietly commanding presence. She can tell a full story through facial expressions alone. Her charisma and authenticity ring true with fierce tenacity.

The world of Janet Planet is unlike anything I’ve seen this year. Baker’s vision for an organic, immersive experience is almost trancelike in its ability to transport audiences into the scene. Notable factors include the production design of their house in the woods, overseen by production designer Teresa Mastropierro, art director Thomas Slattery, and set designer Danica Chipman. Forgoing a traditional score in favor of mostly diegetic sounds and field recordings, the sound of Janet Planet reflects the loneliness and purity of the central characters. It’s a genius choice, helmed by sound designer Paul Hsu, that tips the film into greatness.

Takeaway

Janet Planet is a deliberately slow-paced film about evolving into one’s own person. The mother/daughter bond is sacred for so many, the process of finding individuality within this relationship is a universal experience. Through beautiful performances, a sensitive script, and breathtaking design, director Annie Baker crafts one of the most tender and unifying films of the summer-yet alone, the year.