She’s Lost Control-2014

Director Anja Marquardt

Starring Brooke Bloom

Scott’s Review #299

Reviewed December 14, 2015

Grade: B+

She’s Lost Control (2015) is a dark, independent drama and Anja Marquardt’s directorial debut.

This film is one reason I proudly support independent film, as it is otherwise a film that most would not know about, and will never know about, if not for good word of mouth and award recognition- think Indie Spirit Awards.

Hopefully, Marquardt will one day be a household name.

The film is heavy yet intriguing and a character study.

It is a dark and dreary experience- some might argue depressing, centering on Ronah (Brooke Bloom)- a young, female, college student, aspiring towards her master’s degree in psychology, who works as a sexual surrogate in Manhattan.

The film explores her experiences with various clients, specifically a disturbed, volatile man she takes on as a client.

As she gets to know Johnny, they forge a special bond, but will romantic feelings and jealousy get in the way of the therapy assigned to both parties?

The tale focuses on how each of them explores their feelings, and clearly, those feelings are not peaches and cream.

Ronah is not a prostitute, and there is very little sex that goes on, albeit the implication is there. She is nurturing, emotionally invested, and intends to become a psychiatrist one day.

It is unclear whether her “boss,” a shady-seeming character, is her pimp or simply an employer. His role and motivations are unclear.

The most interesting aspect of the film is the title, and throughout my viewing of the film I wondered about the title more and more- are any of Ronah’s experiences in her mind? Is she stable, or does she have some emotional or mental issues?

She befriends a kind neighbor around her age who invites her for dinner- they bond. The neighbor invites her out to dance, but Ronah declines.

She also has an older female confidant- a former surrogate who gives Ronah tips and suggestions. Still, Ronah is lonely.

Again, we wonder if perhaps all is not what it seems. This is a fascinating aspect of the story. One must watch to find answers to questions like these.

New York City can be a tough, unkind world, and She’s Lost Control doesn’t sugarcoat an individual’s difficult existence when they aren’t blessed with family money, strings, or some other advantage.

Ronah lives in a dump with holes in her shower and cramped quarters. On top of that, she is constantly kept up to date on problems involving her brother and mother back home in upstate New York.

Quite simply, Ronah is overwhelmed by her life. Might she be spinning out of control?

The film’s dreary aspect isn’t so much the sexual content. Ronah is a therapist, and everything is consensual.  Unfortunately, she is challenged by some of the people she encounters in her profession.

I admire She’s Lost Control (2014) quite a bit for its insight, thoughtfulness, and compelling story of a woman with a difficult life, trying to make ends meet, and aspiring to something worthwhile.

She is brave, troubled, and interesting all rolled up in one fascinating lead character.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay, Best First Feature