Una Review

Una is a provocative and brave drama about the affects of sexual abuse.

Here we have an a film so well  crafted yet remaining beautifully simple by relying mostly on the script by David Harrower (adapted from his play Blackbird) and the heavy performances by Rooney Mara (A Ghost Story) and Ben Mendelsohn (Mississippi Grind). 
The story is of a woman, Una (Mara) confronting her abuser Ray (Mendelsohn) 15 years later. It's character driven, very real in tone and manages to include the audience through its narrative by having us play judge to their characters morality.
The pacing is superb as it gradually builds until the inevitable climatic conclusion. The script is utterly brilliant when combined with actors of this caliber as these characters become very human as we delve into their thoughts and through their feelings. The film is as much about if we can forgive them for their actions as it is about their forgiveness. 
The acting capabilities of Mara and Mendelsohn are really pushed by the content of this film that these performance may not be beat in their future carreers. Mara brings so much emotional pain to her role of Una and Mendelsohn manages to balance that as the abuser Ray. He doesn't just play an abuser but managers to twist the role into a character that can be understood mentally and emotionally.
As Benedict Andrews' directing debut into film (previously Theatre), it's a strong first entry. He clearly has an understanding of focus, character and narrative. As a majority of the film remains locked on the two lead characters, it rarely cuts from one to the other for reactions and dialogue. Instead the camera keeps the pair on screen simultaneously as if we were in the room with them while observing them. This aids the concept of this film as it puts the audience in the room with them so they can be judgmental towards these characters morals.  
Jed Kurzel (Alien: Covenant) does a fantastic job with the score that creates an eerie and unnerving atmosphere as a reminder to the films subject matter while capturing the emotional processes of the characters.
Una is film that has a heavy subject matter and treats it with a heightened sense of realism. Showcasing to great actors delivering very authentic characters. It's deep, raw drama that delves right into the minds of the characters giving their perspective.

Mr. Cynic rates this 8.5/10

(This is not a film everybody will want to watch due to it's content but it treats the subject very real and does not condone the behaviour.) For anyone interested in seeing the and are unsure or just simply wants to see an interview with the writer, director and a member of cast then I recommend the video below 

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BFI interview with the people behind Una