In the early 20s, a Polish woman (Marion Cotillard) immigrates to America, only to find herself forced into prostitution by Joaquin Phoenix’s character. This film is as desperately bleak as it sounds: a relentless downer that had potential to be grand and moving, but is hindered by the contrived plot, the glacial pace and the overblown orchestrations. Darius Khondji’s cinematography is lovely, but bathed in an unoriginal sepia cast. Cotillard works those big eyes to full effect as she suffers endlessly, while Phoenix practically twirls his non-existent moustache. The period situations are interesting, but the dramatic potential is amped up to melodrama. (Criterion Cinema only)