LanreMass at Sundance (2021). I saw Mass at Sundance earlier this year and it just absolutely wrecked me, so let's get into why you might want to give it a watch. Two couples join together appearing in the aftermath of a violent tragedy that affected their lives, in different ways okay so first off. This is a awfully emotional film that deals with a terrible tragedy. The story could be triggering because of just how devastating it is, this stars jason isaacs martha plimpton ann dowd and reid bernie and it is written and directed by fran krantz.
Now if you're not familiar with crans he's the stoner dude that looked like shaggy in the horror comedy the cabin in the woods now as a first-time director this dude knocks it out of the park the film begins with a nervous energy and there's a timidity or uneasiness on the part of a church employee, who starts the scene and this sets off the tone for what we can expect from the entire films.[adace-ad id=”5497″]
There is a sense of dread that feels like it's coming and it's almost oppressive with the anticipation that is being created now during the beginning before the meat of the story is delved into the interchange is vague and there are a twosome of people talking and getting things prepared for a gathering and we think we know what the coming meeting is going to be about, but it's never spoken directly and this creates a awfully troubling atmosphere now this is a single setting film that plays out a lot like a stage play and because the setting is just a room inside a church with awfully little decoration the performances and dialogue drive this story whoa those words and the delivery.
[adace-ad id=”5497″] They are raw and emotional the actors give a soul-bearing dialogue. I mean the truth in their performances made each character relatable even though what they experienced awfully few will ever encounter and I was able to see each perspective that the parents exhibit through their performances this story and the way it plays out is just devastating the couples are processing their emotions and grief right in front of us trying to understand or maybe even rationalize what went on they're asking the impossible questions to know the mind of somebody who's no longer there they're wanting answers all the while knowing that their desire to know is never going to be satisfied this story is anxiety filled from the awfully start and it doesn't ever relent it only intensifies through every passing minute now I think come awards season we're gonna see all of the names on the list jason isaacs is so vulnerable and angry I mean he's trying to put meaning to actions he's attempting to wrap his head around what transpired and then trying to find meaning in the abyss of grief and the restraint he displays I thought was powerful and heartbreaking now martha plimpton gets to deliver what I think are the most critical and devastating lines of dialogue in this and she is utterly powerful and if you're not crying by this point I mean something's not right now on the other side of the table are I endowed and read bernie [adace-ad id=”5497″]and they have a difficult role to play as parents of the perpetrator of the tragedy that'd be easy to side against them and sometimes we do but they also expertly craft characters who can be devastated and ashamed, but at the same time wanting to defend actions simply because it's their child, they're discussing and as the couple's discussed the conversation boils to just this excruciating point and then in a feat that's awfully hard to imagine.
It keeps building the apprehension and devastation just pile on to make a scenario that is just about suffocating now this story is crafted with the characters in mind I mean while the story itself is awfully engaging if the actors cannot connect with us and then build out players that are sympathetic it's not going to matter how compelling that story is unfortunately the actors each get moments to shine they give such nuanced performances that really exude realism and then authenticity now I mentioned how this resembles a stage play and I love how the characters move about the small space I mean there are limited places that they can go but they are able to create effective separation just through their body positions and that separation isn't just a physical distancing but it's emotional as well and they achieve it by simply a turn of the shoulders or maybe even huddling together every small movement speaks to the emotions that are present even if those emotions aren't verbalized now I'm not sure this is a story in a film that you're going to actively want to watch repeatedly and not because it's not a great story being told but just because it's devastating to watch.
I will re-watch this just to experience the performances but this isn't going to be something that I gravitate towards on a regular basis. This is an hour and 50 minutes of dynamic drama, now it's a slow burn of a story but it doesn't drag in the slightest. I mean I was riveted and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and the pacing is deliberate but it's not rushed and it allows us to be enveloped in all of the emotional upheaval so overall mass is an emotionally draining drama with a simple but effective story that relies on the actors skills to fully engage us the performances are raw and compelling executed in such an intimate way that is nothing short of devastating and the single setting works to create an environment that is sterile and plain and that contrasts with the visceral emotions first time director fran kranz demonstrates great promise as a helmer who is able to evoke guttural performances designed to intrigue us and devastate us there's no s*x or nudity some profanity and some descriptions of violence I give mass five out of five couches what's a good character-driven drama that you've seen recently I'd love to hear in the comments below if you enjoyed this review please give it a like also don't forget to look for more review of all kind of movies on our website. and thanks for couching with us. you can rich us on the link in-front. freemovies.
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