Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles Film Review
Jeanne Dielman has stayed with me since I watched it. Initially, I didn’t think it would impact me; on the surface, it’s so unassuming. The long, almost painfully slow takes of housework affected me more than expected.
The mundanity of life, the little actions we repeat daily to sustain ourselves, becomes palpable in this film. Jeanne’s weekly meals, exacting cleaning regimen, and interactions with her johns were all perfectly scheduled. It highlights the ease of sticking to a routine and the hollow feeling of living through motions without purpose. Those drawn-out scenes bring that boredom to life in a painfully honest way.
The ending felt so raw, and I deeply understood her rage even though I am not in her position. Jeanne lives entirely for others, for men, specifically. She’s trapped by the social conditioning of the time, living for her ex-husband, her son, and her johns. Her pleasure, her selfhood, doesn’t exist. Her son, meanwhile, takes up space and attention while contributing nothing. It’s a dynamic that, though evolving, still echoes today. It’s easy to imagine how resentment could build when men in her life take up space she can’t claim for herself. Who’s taking care of her? Could she even take a day off?
Her eventual release, an orgasm, unlocks repressed desires and, ultimately, a torrent of rage. It’s rare to see a film capture this bodily-to-emotional transference so directly. We often forget how physical acts like working out, journaling, creating art, and yes, orgasms, can be vehicles for emotional alchemy. These moments get us in touch with what we truly feel on a somatic level, something Jeanne never explores in the film. She didn’t have access to the language or tools to connect with herself like that; it’s an insight both sad and all too real.
The lack of resolution in her final act resonates; it feels right. We’re left with Jeanne in the aftermath, just her processing. This open ending gave me a lot to think about. At first, I found it hard to focus, but this is such essential feminist work. If I ever have a son, I’d want him to see this film to understand it.
One thing’s for sure: Jeanne Dielman wasn’t made for people with low focus. 😩 Bring snacks, caffeine, and plan for a lot of breaks!
