Clarissa

CLARISSA is as exquisite as they come. A lyrical reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel “Mrs Dalloway,” repositioned to Lagos, Nigeria to talk about themes of colonialism and class, this is how you do an adaptation: honoring the spirit of the source material while…

Matt Neglia

Clarissa, Arie and Chuko Esiri’s second feature, is a boldly executed and eloquent reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s landmark novel that pushes her critiques of colonialism, class and isolation with renewed fervor. An adaptation of Mrs. Dalloway, the film stars Sophie Okonedo…

Robert Daniels

There is at least one scene where she really does explain it all.

joereid

Second watch, I did still find it difficult to be immersed in the story with the languid pacing and intercut stories. But the film is so aesthetically accomplished and rich on substance that this feels like a minor complaint Clarissa at its heart is about how colonialism…

Brother Bro

blown away by this! every glance, every movement… so rich and textured! perfectly woven storylines, i felt so connected to it. and the casting, my god. love love love

Sarah Hagi

there’s so much affection for the place and people on screen here, a palpable resonance that is found in a delicate balance of comedy, drama and sudden moments of violence — reminded me a lot of both Daughters of the Dust and Monsoon Wedding which is, admittedly, high…

Justin LaLiberty

Big love for Ayo’s fascinating British accent, Toheeb Jimoh’s deeply real yearning, the whole vibe and warmth of the thing. Runs out of steam and has a pretty mad bit of whiplash late in the game but some images that have stayed with me.

Ella Kemp

Clarissa is a fascinating interpretation of Mrs Dalloway, shifting the 1920s London-set story to modern day Lagos. It finds the through line between colonialism and patriarchy, both forces which strive to transform and hollow out the souls of both the beneficiaries and…

Brother Bro

A skillful adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway that's set in Nigeria as the country transitions from colonization to independence (independence under military rule). Which is a marvelous transportive conceit from Britain to a country that is shedding its rule as…

Brian Formo