Film reviews: What Maisie Knew | Kick-Ass 2

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What else does Maisie know? To keep her head down when the fights break out between her narcissistic rock chick mother (Julianne Moore) and her selfish art dealer father (Steve Coogan). Their breakup is observed from her perspective; a smart and stoic child, she’s the only thing both parents want to hang on to, partly to spite the other.

By marrying Margo, their Scottish nanny (Joanna Vanderham), Maisie’s father wins points in the custody battle. In retaliation Susanna rushes into a civil ceremony with a sweet-tempered bartender called Lincoln (Alexander Skarsgard). Maisie’s stepparents are inexperienced, underfunded and in their twenties, but as directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel overemphasise, they make a far better fist of parenting than Maisie’s abrasive real parents.

Maisie is based on Henry James’ novel of the same name, updated to modern New York, and with more “f*** yous” than you’ll find in the entire James’ canon. A lot else has changed since James’ day: “I have two stepfathers, but one is almost dead” casually announces a child in a bowtie at Maisie’s school.

An intimate story of repeated betrayal, five terrific performances get this movie over some rocky terrain, including a pat resolution. It’s hard to begrudge Maisie her shot at happiness, especially when you consider the size of those therapy bills.

On general release from Friday

Kick-Ass 2 (15)

* * *

Superhero (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his adolescent ally Hit Girl (Chloe Grace Moretz) encounter a team of amateur avengers (including Jim Carrey). This time the transgressive punch-ups feel awfully forced.

On general release

Lovelace (R)