Thursday, December 13, 2012
IN CRISIS MODE
Today's NYTimes Critics' Pick film was Marc Meyer's
A family gathers 'round the dying patriarch and all the little fissures show.
Points of view are from the grandDad and a grandSon Josh who is coming into adulthood and grabs the reins. Nicely.
There is nothing overwrought here. It is normal. A time of death and a lot of old issues surface. New to the grandson.
In taking responsibility in his family he ends up putting his own life on hold. School, girlfriend. To his benefit.
All the moves in this film are small intense one. Craftily directed and acted we are shown rather than told about the years of baggage that need to get dropped or put away as everyone says goodbye to the grandDad.
The acting is superb. Ensemble. Subtle. It is easy to forget that this is a play and not some docudrama. Handheld work helps this.
The success of the film is the across the board talent on display but at the center, two words.
Robert Loggia. The grandDad.
Another two words. Jack T. Carpenter. The grandSon.
When both principals merge in one scene it is magic.
Loggia is a master. It is a master class.
OK. Two other words. Barbara Barrie as the GrandMother slipping away into dementia just as her husband is slipping away from his life.
This may sound all morbid but it is not. There is a lot of love here. Incapable as many of the family are of showing it. Nuance is the main force of the film.
A 5 out of Netflix5. I would like to watch it again.
Labels: films
