Janet Planet: A Quiet Movie with a Loud Impact
Janet Planet is a quiet movie. But every once in a while, a shock punctures the silence. Take the film’s beginning: a young girl sneaks out of her room in the dead of night, moving swiftly across a dark field. She makes her way to a barn and finds a phone. “Hi,” she says to whoever’s on the other end. “I’m gonna kill myself.”
Summer camp, a place of adventure and self-discovery
This is how we meet 11-year-old Lacy (Zoe Ziegler). The year is 1991, and she’s wasting away at summer camp. She has a hard time making friends, and this dramatic proclamation is how she convinces her mother Janet (Julianne Nicholson) to come and pick her up. When Janet arrives, she appears like a beacon in the grass, an angelic apparition come to save Lacy from this summer of hell. But Janet isn’t alone. Her boyfriend Wayne (Will Patton) is there, too.
As I watched Janet Planet, I couldn’t help but think of my own summer camp experiences. The feeling of being an outsider, of not quite fitting in with the rest of the group. It’s a universal feeling, one that transcends age and time. And yet, Janet Planet takes this feeling and turns it on its head. It’s a movie that’s both quiet and loud, both subtle and shocking.
Zoe Ziegler shines as Lacy in Janet Planet
Zoe Ziegler’s performance as Lacy is nothing short of phenomenal. She brings a depth and nuance to the character that’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming. And Julianne Nicholson as Janet is equally impressive, bringing a sense of warmth and compassion to the role.
As I reflect on Janet Planet, I’m reminded of the power of movies to transport us to another time and place. To make us feel seen and heard, even when we’re feeling our most alone. It’s a quiet movie, yes, but one that packs a loud punch.
A quiet movie night, perfect for Janet Planet
A Movie for the Ages
Janet Planet is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll. It’s a movie that will make you think, make you feel, and make you want to watch it again and again. So grab some popcorn, get cozy, and experience Janet Planet for yourself. You won’t regret it.
