The Girl from Monday (2005)

The Girl from Monday Poster

A comic drama about a time in the near future when citizens are happy to be property traded on the stock exchange.

Film Overview
"The Girl From Monday" is a 2005 sci-fi film directed by Hal Hartley. The movie, which doubles as a social commentary, checks out themes of consumerism, identity, sexuality, and human connections in a dystopian alternate universe. It stars Bill Sage, Sabrina Lloyd, and Tatiana Abracos. The story of the movie moves between hilarity and seriousness, making it a truly unique piece of movie theater.

Plot Summary
"The Girl From Monday" is embeded in a dystopian future where an Orwellian federal government decides to privatize human emotions, turning individuals into stocks. An individual's worth is this world is determined by their sexual desirability, and there's a continuous monitoring of everyone's 'customer alternatives'. In this oppressive milieu, Jack Bell, depicted excellently by Bill Sage, a rebel advertising executive, with his accomplices, plots to overthrow this totalitarian system.

Jack breakdowns a device that sends a signal to another constellation and mistakenly brings a female from another planet, the titular "Girl from Monday", played by Tatiana Abracos. This female embodies an entire planet's consciousness which exposes the flaws of humankind's commodification. A fascinating point to note is that the Girl from Monday is not able to comprehend human emotions, which provides a stark contrast to the world she has landed in.

At the same time, the movie focuses on Jack's relationship with Cecile, a teacher at an elite private school, played by Sabrina Lloyd. Their relationship forms a significant subplot, which adds a more intimate and personal aspect to the bigger story.

Design and Signature
As a movie, "The Girl From Monday" follows Hartley's signature style of filmmaking, integrating elements of experimentation, absurdist humor, and complex plot structures. The film is made on a shoestring spending plan however is no less outstanding in terms of its creative and enthusiastic sci-fi idea, unique visual design, and thought-provoking story.

The movie makes use of surrealism and metaphorical representation to check out the main theme. For example, the 'Girl from Monday' acts as a metaphor for the attempt to understand human habits and emotions from a non-human point of view.

Styles and Criticism
"The Girl From Monday" does not avoid tackling heavy themes such as consumerism, human identity concerns, and the impact of technological advancements on human life. It provides a bleak portrayal of a society that decreases human feelings and interactions to commodities and transactions.

In spite of this, the film got blended evaluations due to its intricacy and enthusiastic story that some critics found difficult to follow. Nevertheless, its non-traditional take on these societal problems, integrated with engaging performances from the main stars, make "The Girl From Monday" an unique film that will be valued by viewers interested in societal commentary encapsulated within a sci-fi narrative.

Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Girl from Monday" is a difficult but intriguing film that stresses the complexities of human emotions within an extremely commercialized society. It shows Hal Hartley's strong filmmaking skills, his distinct storytelling approach, and brave social commentary. Regardless of facing criticism, the film uses an informative review of society's fixation with commodities and checks out the important aspects of what it suggests to be human.

Top Cast

  • Bill Sage (small)
    Bill Sage
    Jack
  • Sabrina Lloyd (small)
    Sabrina Lloyd
    Cecile
  • Tatiana Abracos
    The Girl From Monday
  • Leo Fitzpatrick (small)
    Leo Fitzpatrick
    William
  • D.J. Mendel
    Abercrombie
  • James Urbaniak (small)
    James Urbaniak
    Funk
  • Juliana Francis
    Rita
  • Gary Wilmes (small)
    Gary Wilmes
    Adjuster
  • David Neumann
    Soldier 1
  • Ryan Bronz
    Soldier 2/Benson
  • Edie Falco (small)
    Edie Falco
    Judge