Barbara

It persuades us early on that its aura of political tension and suspicion, its taciturnity, its very strictness of silent observation as it begins, are fostering an intelligent thriller.

The movie examines the possibility of maintaining one's humanity in a truly oppressive society.

Hoss, wearing her blond hair pulled back tight, and wearing an expression of inscrutable melancholy, gives a performance that doesn't feel like a performance at all.

Hoss carries the film with a highly controlled performance, appropriate for a character who has learned how to survive by being very careful about showing her true feelings.