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"Stockholm, Pennsylvania"

HH

U.S. Dramatic

The drama "Stockholm, Pennsylania" starts as a thoughtful examination of post-traumatic healing, but abruptly sinks into a psychological horror show. Marcy and Glen Dargon (Cynthia Nixon, David Warshofsky) are relieved to welcome home their 23-year-old daughter Leanne (Saoirse Ronan), kidnapped 17 years ago and raised in a basement by Ben McKay (Jason Isaacs), who's now in jail awaiting trial. But Leanne doesn't feel like she's home, and empathizes more with Ben — the man who raised her to believe the apocalypse had occurred outside the basement — than with her biological parents. Writer-director Nikole Beckwith sets up some intriguing opening scenes as Leanne, who prefers to be called Leia, slowly acclimates to life with the Dargons. But Beckwith and Marcy both grow impatient, forcing the issue of Leanne/Leia's loyalties and turning the story toward almost comical sociopathy that this talented cast can't quite sell.

- Sean P. Means

"Stockholm, Pennsylvania" is screening in the U.S. Dramatic competition at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It screens again: Friday, 8:45 p.m., Library Center Theatre, Park City.