At the San Sebastian FF: Jesse Eisenberg's The Deb

Jesse Eisenberg's third directorial venture, The Debut, resonates deeply with audiences at the San Sebastián Film Festival.

Set in Central New Jersey in 1990, the film unfolds in a community theater where auditions are underway for the role of Miss Danielle in the musical Nosy Neighbours.

Mona, portrayed by Julianne Moore, auditions with the song “The City May Have Chewed Me Up (But It Can’t Spit Me Out),” but is quickly dismissed after just a few notes. However, when a renowned actress unexpectedly drops out of her role, the theater's director, Jeffrey (Paul Giamatti), calls upon Mona to step in.

What begins as a backstage musical comedy quickly transcends genre conventions. Mona's life as a gentle and caring housewife is marked by a profound sense of invisibility—her husband and adult twins take her for granted, and her friends are nowhere to be found.

The theater becomes a transformative space for Mona, where she learns the ropes of acting and singing, ultimately launching her artistic career and reigniting her life.

Eisenberg's script and direction deftly sidestep clichés surrounding both characters and plot development. The theater community is portrayed as kind and supportive, genuinely welcoming Mona as a new colleague and friend. While the musical’s director could easily have been depicted as arrogant and unapproachable, Giamatti infuses Jeffrey with unexpected warmth. The real conflict lies not between characters, but within Mona herself.

Eisenberg composed the film’s songs to create a musical world that reflects Mona’s perspective, allowing her reality to unfold through her character, Miss Danielle.

As Mona witnesses life passing her by, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery through her role as Miss Danielle. A pivotal scene unfolds when Jeffrey challenges her to truly ‘be.’ In this moment, as Mona and Miss Danielle come to life, the film raises a critical question: what happens to a newly born artist?

The film honors the genre's expectations, delivering musical numbers, punchlines, and humor, while also offering a deeper reflection on the essence of artistry.

When a baby enters the world, it cries—loudly and unabashedly. In a similar vein, Mona finally unearths the emotions she has kept hidden for so long. Yet, Eisenberg does not confine the narrative to a simple tale of self-discovery. He complicates Mona's journey, exploring the ramifications of her newfound voice. While she embraces her artistic expression, she risks losing control, allowing her voice to overshadow the collaborative spirit of the production. The pendulum must swing back; Mona must learn to balance her aspirations with her responsibilities as a cast member.

She must navigate the duality of her newly found voice as both an artist and a grounded individual.

The Debut offers a poignant reflection of Eisenberg’s personal narrative through Mona’s journey. Beautifully shot on Kodak film and featuring outstanding performances from Moore and Giamatti, the movie serves as a striking homage to classic Hollywood while speaking to all of us who aspire to be our true selves—without ego and without vanity.