Elizabeth Is Missing is a gripping mystery drama that explores the devastating impact of dementia on the human mind and emotions. The movie follows the 80-year-old protagonist, Maud, who suffers from early onset Alzheimer's disease and struggles to remember daily routines and important events.
Maud is haunted by the disappearance of her best friend, Elizabeth, who vanished without a trace some time ago. Despite being dismissed by the police and Elizabeth's family, who believe that Elizabeth has moved away, Maud's intuition tells her that Elizabeth is in danger, and she sets out to find her. The more Maud delves into the mystery, the more her memory lapses, and she begins to confuse Elizabeth's disappearance with the disappearance of her beloved older sister Sukey, who disappeared when they were young.
The movie brilliantly captures the disorienting experience of dementia through Maud's fragmented memories and unreliable perceptions of reality. Glenda Jackson delivers an outstanding performance as Maud, conveying the character's frustration, fear, and vulnerability with great sensitivity. The movie also tastefully explores the challenges faced by caregivers who struggle to care for dementia patients while balancing their own needs and emotions.
Throughout the movie, flashbacks and hallucinations transport the audience back and forth between Maud's childhood and the present-day investigation. The story's pace is slow at times, reflecting Maud's mental state, but the payoff is worth it in the end. Overall, Elizabeth Is Missing is a poignant and haunting movie that explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of memory loss and loss of self.