Drama
United States of America
Margaret is a 2011 drama film directed by Kenneth Lonergan, starring Anna Paquin, Mark Ruffalo, and Matt Damon. The story follows Lisa Cohen (Anna Paquin), a privileged high school student in New York City who witnesses a bus accident that kills a pedestrian. Lisa is traumatized by the accident and becomes obsessed with finding out the truth about what really happened.
As Lisa tries to piece together the events that led to the accident, she discovers that the bus driver (Mark Ruffalo) may have been distracted by his girlfriend (Jeannie Berlin) on the phone at the time of the accident. However, Lisa's pursuit of justice becomes complicated when it is revealed that the victim was actually an illegal immigrant from Jamaica, and Lisa's attempts to expose the truth may expose the victim's status and potentially lead to his family's deportation.
Meanwhile, Lisa's own life begins to unravel as she struggles with confusion about her own desires and the relationships in her life. Her mother (J. Smith-Cameron) is dating a man (Jean Reno) who Lisa dislikes, and her father (Kenneth Lonergan) is absent and uninvolved in her life.
The film explores themes of guilt, morality, and justice, and features a sprawling cast of characters in various states of emotional turmoil. It also delves into issues of race, class, and privilege, as Lisa's own white, upper-class background makes it difficult for her to fully understand the perspectives of those affected by the accident.
Margaret was originally filmed in 2005 but faced numerous post-production delays and legal disputes before finally being released in 2011 to critical acclaim. It has been praised for its intricate storytelling, nuanced performances, and thought-provoking themes.
