We’re in the midst of a record-breakingly sweltering summer, and while there’s probably relief to be had in watching a film like Fargo or Frozen — one that features decidedly cooler temperatures — if you’d rather use your media to commiserate, you needn’t look any further than Hot Milk. Set in the Spanish seaside town of Almería, you can practically feel the heat radiating off the screen, and if the weather is making you moody, rest assured, you’re still probably not as miserable as Rose (Fiona Shaw) and Sofia (Emma Mackey), the film’s central mother-daughter duo.
What Is ‘Hot Milk’ About?

While the picturesque landscape of Almería would make for a beautiful vacation spot, Rose and Sofia aren’t there to enjoy a holiday. In fact, one gets the sense that the two of them don’t seem to enjoy much of anything, as Rose is a demanding hypochondriac who often suffocates her sullen daughter-slash-caretaker. Despite having been in a wheelchair since Sofia was young, Rose is convinced that the unconventional Dr. Gomez (Vincent Perez) can help heal her so that she may walk again. When Rose learns that his methodology will require her to confront family secrets she’d rather keep buried, however, she starts to resist his treatment. When Sofia isn’t taking Rose to appointments, listening to her complain, or tending to her endless requests for water, she’s wandering around the town working on an anthropology project or getting stung by jellyfish. One day, while lounging on the beach, she meets the free-spirited Ingrid (Vicky Krieps), traipsing in like a knight on horseback. The two have an instant, largely unspoken connection and begin an affair, made more complicated by Ingrid’s other relationships and Sofia’s jealousy towards them. Ingrid, too, has buried trauma bubbling just beneath the surface, which threatens to completely break an already overwhelmed Sofia.
‘Hot Milk’ Is Visually Striking and So Very Slow

Image via IFC Films

The most impressive thing about Hot Milk is how undeniably stunning it is. Cinematographers Si Bell and Christopher Blauvelt highlight the gorgeous natural scenery, immersing the audience in its setting from the first moment. The film’s nighttime shots do, unfortunately, fall victim to the too-dark lighting epidemic, and it’s frequently a struggle to make out what’s happening when the characters are under the stars or the sheets. However, every sun-soaked shot truly looks like the frame of a painting, and Matthew Herbert’s beautiful score pairs well with the visuals to create a dreamlike feel. Sadly, the movie threatens to lull audiences into a literal dream state at times with its slow pacing. The film meanders, particularly in its first two acts, making it difficult to fully invest in the characters. It seems content to run fully off of vibes and implications rather than taking the time to satisfyingly develop dynamics and build up to the surprising reveals and explosive moments, lessening their impact when they finally happen.
‘Hot Milk’s Performances Shine Despite Thin Characterization

Image via IFC Films

Mackey cements her place as a talented rising star, managing to do a lot with a little. Sofia’s character remains magnetic and compelling despite being largely underdeveloped, and it’s easy to sense the constant frustration and melancholy simmering under the surface. The film’s best moments happen when those emotions are allowed to burst out and consume her, tapping into a relatable and earned rage. With a fairly sparse script, her expressions and body language have to do much of the heavy lifting, and she more than delivers without ever going too big or over-the-top. The same can be said for Shaw, who is relentless in her critiques while feeling grounded and all too real. Rose’s negativity is both subtle and persistent, easily working her way under your skin so you can put yourself in Sofia’s shoes. Shaw does a brilliant job of making Rose a thoroughly exhausting character, sapping any sense of joy and energy from a scene with her pessimism and defeatist attitude, but she’s far from a black-and-white villain. As irritated as you can get with her, there’s a level of pity that accompanies it, though the grand reveal about her past comes too late in the game to be as impactful as it wants to be. The mother-daughter relationship fares much better than the romantic relationship between Sofia and Ingrid. While Ingrid clearly offers a reprieve for Sofia in ways (and hints at continuing a toxic cycle in others), their affair never comes off as particularly passionate. Mackey and Krieps seem to have a decent amount of chemistry, but the script keeps them from capitalizing on it. The stakes and intensity are both lower than they should be, with a lack of visceral longing or desperation needed to make it work. The characters’ desires, backgrounds, and motivations are sketched too broadly, making it difficult to care about or see how the two are changing and affecting one another. It’s hard to buy the life-changing, whirlwind romance the film seems to be wanting to sell us. Hot Milk makes for a fairly successful character study of a mother and daughter — mostly due to the fine work of Mackey and Shaw — but proves a rather weak romantic drama. The sluggish pacing and lack of specific characterization make it feel longer than its hour-and-a-half runtime, though the strong performances and beautiful cinematography are just enough to keep it from ever becoming a total slog. Hot Milk isn’t a totally sour experience, and it’s unlikely to make your stomach turn, but rest assured, there are far more refreshing things to sip on this summer. Hot Milk is now playing in theaters.

Language

English

Run Time

1 hr 33 min

Director

Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Pros & Cons

The film?s cinematography and score are dazzling, immersing viewers into the stunning setting.
The performances are excellent across the board, particularly from Mackey and Shaw.

The movie?s pacing drags, making for a tedious viewing experience at times.
The characters are undeveloped and difficult to become invested in.
The dynamic between Sofia and Ingrid falls flat.

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