'The Immigrant'

Inspired by his research of white slavery in the early 20th century, James Gray's film focuses on destitute Polish woman Ewa (wrenchingly portrayed by Marion Cotillard), who migrates to the United States in 1921 and is forcibly separated from her sick sister upon arrival. Preyed upon by men, the only thing Ewa has going for her is the will to survive.

Gray's approach to Ewa's story recalls that of its 1917 namesake, Charlie Chaplin's "The Immigrant." Like Ewa, the Tramp steps off the boat in New York and is immediately pulled into a vortex of misadventure. Unlike the Tramp, though, Ewa never gets to chuckle at her own fate, as life takes a rapid downward plunge into prostitution and brutality, engineered by the outwardly smooth/inwardly tormented Bruno Weiss (Joaquin Phoenix). Bruno can't seem to decide whether to make Ewa's life miserable or to help her out, making him fascinating to watch. She also meets Orlando the Magician (Jeremy Renner), whose levitation act provides Ewa with a much-needed spiritual escape hatch, and a window of hope.

Though his compositions are painful to watch, Gray's tone is never pitying. He launches Ewa on a difficult journey, but even during the bleakest moments, you always feel that he's holding her hand.