Compensation

Sweet and tragic in turns, and a really excellent parallel structure makes the dual struggle of race and deafness of our central characters feel effectively real and moving. It has a lot to say, and I think it transmits this sense of feeling effectively.

Unfortunately, the entire film just feels like an exhibition for this. And while that is of course the entire point, it just feels like some of the depth of character and story has been left behind in favour of sending this message. It just made the story feel a bit more flat and less interesting than it could have otherwise.

It was still interesting though, and worth the watch.

Sweet and tragic in turns, and a really excellent parallel structure makes the dual struggle of race and deafness of our central characters feel effectively real and moving. It has a lot to say, and I think it transmits this sense of feeling effectively.

Unfortunately, the entire film just feels like an exhibition for this. And while that is of course the entire point, it just feels like some of the depth of character and story has been left behind in favour of sending this message. It just made the story feel a bit more flat and less interesting than it could have otherwise.

It was still interesting though, and worth the watch.

i find it beautiful that this film was not initially supposed to feature deaf actors but the director saw the lead actress and was so impressed that the script was re-written and more deaf people were added to the cast and crew. and the film deals with the topic with such care and it ends up being so important to the overall theme as well as the presentation. i love it.

the two parallel narratives work so well. the use of archival photography really sells the period aspect of the film. the photography and the sound design do a good job of selling the atmosphere since i assume this film didn't have a big budget.

also i absolutely loved the soundtrack(s?). the old-timey music is what you would expect but still super nice. and the newer stuff could've easily been mostly standard jazz or hip-hop influenced but instead it's so bold and eccentric. it almost sounds otherworldly. some very cool sounding instruments that i've probably never heard before. some very tribal sounds, some electronic music here and there, and also some nice synths. it goes from sounding all weird and funny to sad and moving. and the soundtrack is so important because the film refuses to rely too much on dialogue. which makes a lot of sense within the context of the narrative.

i find it beautiful that this film was not initially supposed to feature deaf actors but the director saw the lead actress and was so impressed that the script was re-written and more deaf people were added to the cast and crew. and the film deals with the topic with such care and it ends up being so important to the overall theme as well as the presentation. i love it.

the two parallel narratives work so well. the use of archival photography really sells the period aspect of the film. the photography and the sound design do a good job of selling the atmosphere since i assume this film didn't have a big budget.

also i absolutely loved the soundtrack(s?). the old-timey music is what you would expect but still super nice. and the newer stuff could've easily been mostly standard jazz or hip-hop influenced but instead it's so bold and eccentric. it almost sounds otherworldly. some very cool sounding instruments that i've probably never heard before. some very tribal sounds, some electronic music here and there, and also some nice synths. it goes from sounding all weird and funny to sad and moving. and the soundtrack is so important because the film refuses to rely too much on dialogue. which makes a lot of sense within the context of the narrative.

I’m always impressed when a film feels so intimate but also so big, and Compensation is no exception. A love story that is transcendent and recognizes the mundanity of joy that exists in such a big, indescribable feeling, makes up for the big tragedies of your world you can’t escape. I’m truly speechless.

I’m always impressed when a film feels so intimate but also so big, and Compensation is no exception. A love story that is transcendent and recognizes the mundanity of joy that exists in such a big, indescribable feeling, makes up for the big tragedies of your world you can’t escape. I’m truly speechless.

really something special!! i loved both storylines and appreciated the way they mirrored and opposed each other. john earl jelks is fantastic, especially as nico. 

the scenes of the beach!! i love lake michigan!!! i love house music and dancing and riding the train! chicago is so cool man!!!!

i was unreasonably excited to realize they were at the regal webster (a loews at the time) to see a movie lmao

really something special!! i loved both storylines and appreciated the way they mirrored and opposed each other. john earl jelks is fantastic, especially as nico. 

the scenes of the beach!! i love lake michigan!!! i love house music and dancing and riding the train! chicago is so cool man!!!!

i was unreasonably excited to realize they were at the regal webster (a loews at the time) to see a movie lmao

Love transcends!

Love transcends!