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Serena, a film with a very personal title, opens with a wide landscape shot of what the subtitles inform us are the “Smoky Mountains, 1929”. This contrast informs the rest of the film, which is based around the juxtaposition of a sweeping, epic tale of progress with the very intimate story of a complicated marriage between timber entrepreneur George Pemberton (Bradley Cooper) and Serena Shaw (Jennifer Lawrence).

After their wedding Serena immediately commences stepping on toes as she co-manages George’s timber empire. Invested in utilising their land in the name of progress, they clash with those who want to preserve it as a national park. Meanwhile, their marriage takes a blow when Serena is unable to have children.

The symbolic equation of Serena’s body with the land leads to an interesting exploration of the frontier myth. Through this, the idea of progress is deconstructed, especially the implication of turning one’s back on history. An acknowledgment of, and engagement with, history is in fact shown to go hand-in-hand with progress.

Cooper and Lawrence are as charming and talented as ever. One shot stands out in particular, a prolonged close-up on Lawrence after receiving terrible news in which she enacts a precisely controlled breakdown that’s devastating to watch. A strong supporting cast, meanwhile, builds tension right up to and beyond the climactic clash. Director Susanne Bier tells a compelling story that doesn’t lag once in its hour and fifty minutes.