Pieces of a Woman (2020) is an emotionally devastating drama directed by Kornél Mundruczó, written by Kata Wéber, and starring Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf. The film explores grief, trauma, and the complexity of healing after a tragic loss. It is both intimate and raw, with a deeply personal tone that reflects the filmmakers’ own experiences.
Detailed Summary
Opening: A Home Birth That Changes Everything
The film opens with Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and her partner Sean (Shia LaBeouf) preparing for the home birth of their first child in Boston. The scene plays out in an unbroken 24-minute take that is both mesmerizing and harrowing. Their midwife, Eva (Molly Parker), replaces their original midwife, Barbara, who is unavailable. The birth starts well, but complications arise as the baby struggles to breathe. Despite Eva’s attempts to resuscitate her, the baby dies shortly after being born. This single, continuous scene sets the tone for the rest of the film — raw, real, and relentless.
The Aftermath: Isolation and Denial
After the tragedy, Martha and Sean’s relationship begins to unravel. Martha withdraws into herself, moving through her grief silently, while Sean grows increasingly angry and frustrated. He turns to alcohol and drugs, feeling helpless and alienated from Martha’s emotional distance.
Martha’s mother, Elizabeth (Ellen Burstyn), pressures her to take legal action against the midwife, framing Eva’s actions as criminal negligence. But Martha resists, insisting she doesn’t want to turn her grief into a courtroom spectacle. The family dynamic becomes strained, revealing long-buried resentments — especially between Martha and her domineering mother.
Legal and Emotional Breakdown
As the case against Eva gains traction, Sean’s self-destructive behavior spirals. He begins an affair with Martha’s cousin and lawyer, Suzanne (Sarah Snook), while his relationship with Martha collapses completely. Meanwhile, Martha’s emotional numbness manifests in her obsessive focus on seemingly mundane things — apples, bridges, and seeds — symbolic of her need for new beginnings.
Confrontation with the Past
The film reaches an emotional peak when Martha and Elizabeth have a brutal argument. Elizabeth’s monologue — recounting her survival as a Holocaust refugee — reveals her own trauma and her belief that pain must be fought, not accepted. Martha, however, refuses to follow her mother’s path of bitterness. This confrontation serves as the film’s emotional core, bridging generational pain and the different ways people process loss.
Movie Ending
In the final act, the court case against midwife Eva finally begins. Eva is visibly remorseful, while Martha remains detached. During her testimony, Martha shocks everyone by publicly forgiving Eva. She states that Eva didn’t kill her baby — that no one did. The tragedy, she says, was simply life, fragile and unpredictable.
After the trial, Martha scatters her daughter’s ashes on a snowy river, symbolizing acceptance and release. This quiet, wordless moment conveys more emotion than any dialogue could.
In the film’s epilogue, time jumps forward several years. Martha is now living in a peaceful countryside home. A young girl — her daughter — climbs an apple tree and calls out to her mother. Martha looks on lovingly. It’s not explicitly stated whether this child is her biological daughter from a new relationship or a symbolic representation of healing and rebirth, but it suggests that she has finally found peace.
The ending is deeply cathartic, offering closure without resorting to sentimentality. It’s not about “moving on,” but about living with loss and allowing new life — metaphorical or literal — to grow from it.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No. Pieces of a Woman does not have any post-credits scenes. The story concludes entirely within the main narrative, ending on Martha’s moment of quiet resolution.
Type of Movie
Drama / Psychological Drama / Tragedy.
The film is intimate and character-driven, focused more on emotion and human behavior than on plot mechanics.
Cast
- Vanessa Kirby as Martha Weiss
- Shia LaBeouf as Sean Carson
- Ellen Burstyn as Elizabeth Weiss
- Molly Parker as Eva Woodward
- Sarah Snook as Suzanne
- Iliza Shlesinger as Anita
- Benny Safdie as Chris
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Howard Shore, known for his work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Here, Shore delivers something entirely different — a minimalist, haunting score that underscores the quiet devastation and slow healing of the film’s tone.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed primarily in Montreal, Canada, standing in for Boston, Massachusetts. The indoor apartment scenes were carefully designed to reflect Martha’s psychological state — initially cluttered and chaotic, gradually becoming emptier and cleaner as she detaches emotionally. The bridge scenes were filmed at the Jacques Cartier Bridge, symbolizing transition and renewal throughout the film.
Awards and Nominations
- Venice Film Festival (2020): Vanessa Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress.
- Academy Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Actress (Vanessa Kirby).
- Golden Globe Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama (Vanessa Kirby).
- BAFTA Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Leading Actress (Vanessa Kirby).
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The opening birth scene was shot in one continuous take and took six takes over two days to perfect.
- Vanessa Kirby observed real births in preparation, including one at a London hospital, to ensure authenticity.
- Director Kornél Mundruczó and screenwriter Kata Wéber were inspired by their own personal loss of a child.
- Shia LaBeouf reportedly stayed in character between takes, maintaining tension on set to preserve realism.
- The filmmakers deliberately avoided using excessive music during emotional scenes to heighten the sense of realism.
Inspirations and References
The film is inspired by real-life experiences of writer Kata Wéber and director Kornél Mundruczó, who experienced a miscarriage and used this story to explore the process of grief and recovery. There is no specific book adaptation, but the story draws from existential and psychological themes reminiscent of Ingmar Bergman’s and Cassavetes’ work.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no confirmed alternate endings, but earlier drafts reportedly ended with a darker tone, focusing on Martha’s continued isolation rather than her eventual healing. Some minor scenes involving Sean’s further descent into addiction were deleted for pacing.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Pieces of a Woman is not based on a book, but the screenplay was adapted from Kata Wéber’s stage play of the same name. The film version expands the narrative beyond the couple’s apartment, adding external environments like bridges, the courtroom, and nature to visually represent Martha’s internal journey.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The 24-minute one-take home birth sequence — one of the most talked-about openings in recent film history.
- The courtroom testimony where Martha forgives Eva.
- The final scene with Martha’s daughter and the apple tree.
Iconic Quotes
- “I am never going to be the same.” – Martha
- “You have to fight for your happiness.” – Elizabeth
- “No one killed my baby.” – Martha
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The recurring image of apples represents rebirth and fertility, echoing biblical and mythological symbolism.
- The bridge appears at pivotal emotional points, symbolizing transition from one emotional state to another.
- Martha’s wardrobe changes — from gray tones to lighter colors — subtly reflect her progression through grief.
Trivia
- Vanessa Kirby’s birth scene became a benchmark in acting realism and was praised by real-life midwives.
- The film’s apple seeds in the closing scene were grown from real seeds during production.
- Ellen Burstyn’s monologue about survival was largely improvised from personal experience.
- The film’s title was inspired by the idea that “grief breaks people into pieces, and rebuilding those pieces is what life becomes.”
Why Watch?
Because it’s one of the most emotionally honest portrayals of grief ever captured on film. It’s not about melodrama; it’s about the quiet, messy, unspoken reality of loss. Vanessa Kirby’s performance alone makes it worth watching — raw, restrained, and unforgettable.
Director’s Other Movies
- White God (2014)
- Jupiter’s Moon (2017)
- Delta (2008)
