Humanity exists in cycles. We’re born, we propagate, and we die—with luck, improving things for the next generation before we go. In between are a multitude of steps and phases leading toward one stage and away from another. We tend to forget this bit, treating children and young adults as just that before throwing them into full adulthood wherein they wonder, how did I only learn this in my 30s?
. It’s one of the major changes that newer parents are beginning to adopt: recognizing their children as people who are forms taking shape.
For her feature film debut, Annie Baker, writer-director (and 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright), explores the liminal space of adolescence through the lens of one youngster discovering that her world is at a crossroads. In Janet Planet, Baker offers an introspective view of the struggles and transformations facing Lacy (newcomer Zoe Ziegler) during a summer spent with her single-parent mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson).
At camp in the summer of 1991, Lacy feels uncomfortable and returns home to rural Massachusetts. However, rather than an idyllic summer with her mom, she finds herself competing for Janet’s attention against suitors and friends. With each choice pulling them further apart, Lacy ponders the meaning of love.
Lacy’s Perspective Through Cinematography
What sets Janet Planet apart is its use of perspective and soundscape. When we first meet Lacy on the ride home from camp, she sits by the back-passenger window with part of her face obscured. This framing choice signals her fragmented presence within the story. As Annie Baker shifts focus to Janet, we see intimate details from Lacy’s point of view—indicating affection and analysis.
The film’s deliberate pacing mirrors a languid Massachusetts summer. Sound designer Paul Hsu envelops us in serene natural sounds: oscillating fans, nighttime chirping, and crunching gravel. Maria von Hausswolff’s cinematography often matches Lacy’s view, making us feel each tactile detail alongside her.
A Breakout Performance for Zoe Ziegler
Zoe Ziegler makes a stunning debut as Lacy with a nuanced performance marked by subtle physicality—her head tilts and watery eyes conveying profound emotion. Julianne Nicholson delivers a career-best portrayal of a single mom balancing personal identity with parental duty.
The Emotional Bond Between Mother and Daughter
Baker’s film delves deeply into the mother-daughter bond without becoming overly sentimental. Parents are often our first tethers before we strike out on our own paths. Lacy clings to Janet, wanting to be near her despite realizing that this desire may not always be reciprocated. The film beautifully captures this bittersweet journey from dependence to independence.
Baker’s slow-burn storytelling creates an evocative atmosphere that lingers in your mind long after watching. While some elements don’t entirely mesh, Janet Planet remains a thought-provoking exploration of familial bonds and self-awareness.
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