With film-makers now rethinking their perceptions and clarity in the shadow of the #MeToo movement, as well as finding strength and validity in the creative choices that need to be made and address in these more enlightened times, perhaps audience tastes will be shaped by this – and give us more reason to embrace a new perspective that up until now has remained in the shadow of the traditional big-screen blockbuster model.
That’s all very well, but audiences throughout cinemagoing history are smarter than the film-makers, who don’t like to be second-guessed, but who will always give a quality work the time to breathe and fall in love with.
The brand-new indie drama THE REST OF US, directed by Aisling Chin-Yee from a screenplay by Alanna Francis, puts us squarely at the heart of two complicated and convoluted mother-daughter relationships.
Cami (Heather Graham) and daughter Aster (Sophie Nélisse) enjoy a typical dysfunctional bond in the shadow of her divorce from ex-husband Craig. However, a phone call to Cami reveals that Craig had a heart attack and died in his bathtub.
The funeral day brings Cami and Aster into contact with Craig’s widow, Rachel (Jodi Balfour) and daughter Talulah (Abigail Pniowsky) and all in all, the day brings discomfort and uncertainty. Inevitably, they retreat from the proceedings.
However, things are about to get more strained when Rachel learns that her recently deceased has deferred on the mortgage payments amongst other things. Cami offers a place to stay, which Rachel and daughter happily accept when they return home from shopping to find themselves evicted.
The new arrangement understandably causes resentment in Aster, still trying to come to terms with the divorce and the quartet attempt to bond in the shadow of tragedy. However, a few additional secrets and dark clouds are about to hang over this new extended family….
THE REST OF US is a honest and subtly played character drama which reminds one of films like LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, with the four lead performances complimenting each other with the right shades of emotional colour and reflection.
Graham has always been a solid screen presence in supporting roles with the likes of BOOGIE NIGHTS and THE HANGOVER and holds this sort of film together well. Balfour is also solid as the rival wife who has to come to terms with the brutal reality of her situation when she has to make changes to survive.
Nélisse and Pniowsky provide well-rounded portrayals of children on their own emotional journey and compliment each other’s expressiveness as sure as day itself.
THE REST OF US deserves a bigger release than the Digital Download platform it is getting, but will find the right place in the market with the right level of publicity and word-of-mouth.
