The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972)

Plot

Beatrice Hunsdorfer, a middle-aged widow, grapples with life's challenges alongside her two daughters, Ruth and Matilda. Dreaming of a sophisticated tea room, she lacks the means to turn her aspirations into reality. Ruth, an impulsive teenager battling epilepsy, often rebels against their harsh circumstances, while Matilda, the bright yet introverted younger sister, finds refuge in her animals and academic pursuits. Among her projects is an experiment exploring the effects of radium on marigolds, symbolizing her quest for understanding in a world that feels increasingly out of reach.