Mass

A heartbreaking, somber experience of a film. At it’s core, Mass is a conversation. It’s four people, coming together to talk about the hardest thing anyone could imagine. It’s set up, it’s execution. It’s just all flawless. Filled with powerful, raw performances, with Jason Isaacs and Martha Plimpton rightfully standing tall amongst their costars. The setting is sterile, and neutral. The proverbial battle lines are drawn before they even enter the church. The awkward tension that hangs in the air throughout is palpable. It holds in your chest; it keeps your lungs in a firm grasp as you wait for the exhale. There’s no handbook. No manual on how to navigate this situation. The complex pain, and emotion of these characters is real. They’re reserved, but as the movie continues on it pulls back the layers. The directing, the placement of the characters, the set design. It’s all so thoughtful, all used to the maximum efficiency. Towards the end, we finally get that release. Not like a breath of fresh air though. As the stink, the hurt, it all still lingers. But, it’s better than no air. Hurting, is better than not living at all. Truly one of the most powerful this year. I could see this also being a stage play, as the ability to all take place in one area, and a small cast, truly lends itself to that.