Well, That Was Upsetting

“Queen at Sea” is part of a growing trend of films dealing with dementia, and it’s difficult to describe without sounding similar to other films like “Amour” and “Vortex.” The story begins with Amanda (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter Sara (Florence Hunt) visiting Amanda’s mother, Leslie (Anna Calder-Marshall), and her stepfather, Martin (Tom Courtenay), only to find them in a compromising situation. Because Leslie has Alzheimer’s and can’t consent, Martin has already received a warning about their intimacy. Upset and acting quickly, Amanda calls the police, triggering a complex investigation. Inspectors and social workers arrive to investigate what happened, treating the bedroom as a crime scene. Martin is arrested and separated from Leslie, forcing Amanda and Sara to move in and provide care. While Sara navigates her own teenage life and relationships, Amanda finds herself caught between caring for a declining parent and witnessing her daughter’s blossoming independence.
