Following a brief introduction to Jude (Nurse) and her son, Ciel (Boy), we learn that Jude is suffering from a severe chronic condition. From there, we watch the beautiful, loving relationship between the single mother and her son that has developed through years of just having each other to rely on. Silence (Fighter), an underground fighter, enters their lives by chance, or perhaps fate.
There are very strong performances by Clark Johnson and Karen LeBlanc with a great discovery in Daniel J. Gordon who plays Ciel; watch out for this talented young actor. All three give rare, subtle performances where much is said with a look in the eye or a slight movement of the mouth. This is a film that rewards viewers seeking solid acting.
The screenplay by Charles Officer (in an impressive feature film directorial debut) and Ingrid Veninger is refreshing in that it does not rely on rehashed plot lines or stereotypes for its characters. They are real people, each one identifiable in some way and yet each with his and her own unique stories and interactions that keep you drawn to the film.
Highly recommended.
