While it's refreshing to see a portrait of a woman's unraveling that doesn't romanticize mental illness, and that's actually directed by a woman, it's easy to wish Bitch probed a bit deeper into the protagonist's pre-dog life.
Palka takes things to an extreme, yet her sense of intimacy remains powerful, cutting through a gimmick to identify relatable stress and conjure a startling feeling of hopelessness.
A satirical scream of rage against patriarchal prerogatives, this feminist horror-comedy, written and directed by Ms. Palka, has a vicious edge that can stifle your laughter.
Unsatisfying in the pulpy sense suggested by its Midnight-section booking at Sundance, the pic's presumed political agenda never crystallizes sufficiently ...
If Bitch has some rough edges, Palka's wit and daring never cease to sparkle from the screen; and one leaves the film, if not entirely satisfied, certainly curious as to where this wild intelligence will wander next.
