Andrea Riseborough did some terrific work in 2018, but my pick for her finest role is the title character in Nancy, an impressive indie debut from Christina Choe. Nancy has a lonely life as the sole caregiver for her ill mother (Ann Dowd). She works as a temp, spinning stories to her coworkers about her unusual travels. She also maintains a blog focused on people who have lost babies to a rare genetic condition, and poses as an expectant mother when she goes to meet a grieving young father (John Leguizamo, in a brief but moving performance). It’s not clear whether Nancy is a willful fantasist or a compulsive liar, but she seems motivated to reinvent her drab existence and draw others into her strange narratives. She becomes convinced she’s the long-lost daughter of a couple whose child disappeared 30 years ago, and embarks on a road trip to meet her “real” parents. Ellen (J. Smith-Cameron in a heart-wrenching performance) and Leo (Steve Buscemi, strong in this quietly serious role) are cautious but hopeful, inviting Nancy to stay the weekend. This dark bauble of a film unfolds with subtle twists and turns, as unpredictable and fascinating as the woman at its inscrutable center.
Peg Aloi Says Don’t Forget: Nancy
