The Canadian film Darkest Miriam is a character study of a mild-mannered librarian whose life is defined by her low-key job. Miriam fields cryptic messages, unsigned screeds, and the unwelcome touches of lonely men. She wanders amidst rows of books and gazes out windows. She dresses in simple khakis and sensible shirts. She rides her bike through the Toronto city streets, her biggest risk being occasionally letting go of the handlebars. At home she doffs her clothes at the door and assumes a crouch in the shower.
The film is written and directed by Naomi Jaye, also known for 2013's The Pin. Darkest Miriam is based on a novel by Martha Baillie more aptly titled The Incident Report (the film's title can suggest something sinister). Ms. Baillie collaborated on the script, with Maureen Dorey. The reports in question become a narrative thread of disses, offenses, hopes, and dreams. Quirky characters abound: "Fainting Man," an immigrant who can’t afford health insurance, and so constantly faints and recovers; "Pale Female Patron," who won't give up the computer; and a fellow who whacks off to auto manuals and leaves the mess. Miriam fills out reports but never submits them.
Darkest Miriam is really a showcase for Britt Lower, a talented actress who is currently having a moment in her starring role in the TV series Severance. Ms. Lower has a pleasing expression framed by red hair bluntly cut into bangs. Even while still, her large eyes express much. And her stillness here pays off in her character's eventual flowering.
The monotony of Miriam's life is broken by Janko, a Slovenian cab driver, played engagingly by Tom Mercier. They scope each other out in a park and eventually meet by comparing scars. Janko has a neat little apartment, paints volcanic abstracts, and is an easy fit. He tells Miriam, "The most frightening moment of my life is now because I've met you."
Darkest Miriam is a throwback to mumblecore movies of the '90s: low budget, largely improvised films set mostly in Brooklyn (in fact, HBO’s High Maintenance is amongst Ms. Lower's credits). Darkest Miriam never comes to a boil but is appealing in its steadiness. One of the executive producers is Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation., I'm Thinking of Ending Things). Darkest Miriam matches Mr. Kaufman's quirkiness but not quite his panache.
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Darkest Miriam. Directed by Naomi Jaye. 2024. From Game Theory Films. On digital platforms. Runtime 90 minutes.