5/10
Tries hard, mediocre result
29 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The movie (not 'film') isn't BAD, but there's nothing here to recommend it. There is nothing unexpected; the acting is very 'acterly', the writing is pedestrian, and the directing is a cross between film school aspirant and wannabe indie. This may resonate with some people whose lives are touched by mental health problems, particularly those of a relative. But, the issues reside on a continuum, and the continuum is very broad & very long. The depiction in this little movie is one fictionalized account. I doubt the objectives of this movie include being a banner for mental health issue advocacy, per se, and it shouldn't be celebrated as such. There's no nuance or subtlety here; everything is obvious & superficial.

The sister is flat out unlikeable - irredeemably so. The brother is codependent roadkill for her, except he keeps getting run over again and again. There are some drips of backstory that, I think, are the writer's attempt to mitigate the selfishness & toxicity of the sister. But, there is no softening of he destructive & selfish impact & nature. She does not learn does not get better, which adds to the pervasive frustration for viewers of the brother's futile codependent attempts to control the chaos. We see him fumble away opportunity, as feint as it is, for no good reason.

One take away could be to know when enough is enough. He is not - can not - help her. It serves no good to ruin his own life; he's no good to anyone, if he doesn't take of himself.

Again, as a movie, it's maybe good undergrad wanna go to film school but still considering Social Work school.
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