“Miller’s Girl” is an erotic thriller that delves into the complex dynamics between a high school creative writing teacher and his talented student. The film stars Martin Freeman as Jonathan Miller, a teacher and former author, and Jenna Ortega as Cairo Sweet, an 18-year-old student with a passion for 
literature. The power dynamics are amplified by the 30+ year age gap, and Sweet’s desire to ace her college application essay for Yale.
Viewers aren’t surprised when the teacher’s assignment crosses the line, causing a less than platonic relationship to unfold. The titillation and discomfort flows in equal measure, and I suppose that is the point which director and writer Jade Halley Bartlett is trying to make in her debut film.
It seems believable that Sweet has literary talent, which her teacher would recognize and want to nurture. But once Miller crosses the line, we steadily wonder what Sweet will do. We also wonder who is really in power. Due credit to each of the two leads, as they flesh out their characters quite well. The supporting cast includes Gideon Adlon, Bashir Salahuddin and notably Dagmara Domińczyk as Miller’s wife (a particularly complex role).
Admittedly, the film is successful in terms of raising complicated and uncomfortable issues. But it seems to want it both ways, by also adding fairly graphic and suggestive scenes redolent of films like “Basic Instinct,” “Fifty Shades of Grey” or “Wild Things.” Time will tell if “Miller’s Girl” is lumped into that list or manages to raise the level of discourse about the issues it seems to be concerned about.
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