Mouthpiece

A complex and atmospheric drama about a woman's self analysis over a sudden tragedy. Brilliantly crafted as a puzzle with touches of surrealism, dark comedy and melancholic feminine perspectives.

I was worried when I started watching this film that it was to be a melodramatic and melancholy homage to the daughters' just deceased Mom. I was expecting long bouts of crying and Mommy worship It was anything but! Its' a dark comedy with a twist to it. Took me a while to realize that twist - but if you check the plot synopsis, it is revealed.

So this daughter copes with the funeral and all the arrangements to be made in a very sarcastic way. There are also many flashbacks to the emotionally distraught relationship between daughter and mother. The film is a hoot and definitely unique, with fine comedic entanglements between the key characters.

Having two actresses simultaneously play the same 30 year old woman dealing with the death of her mother is an ostentatious approach to take to a film. It also really works.

Essentially we constantly have the inner monologue of this character making itself known and the often conflicting thoughts being shown to the audience. 'Tall' Cassie is more agressive & messy, 'Short' Cassie is more empathetic & together, so when a potential romantic partner asks if she's interested in a relationship 'Tall' Cassie instantly says no, 'Short' Cassie says maybe. When a workman catcalls her 'Tall' Cassie says Thank You, 'Short' Cassie says FU. What each of them feels at every moment allows us to see the confusion of a millenial woman.

It also explores the legacy of feminism through the ages. In flashbacks to Cassie's mother we gradually uncover her story with it's disappointments and regrets. To some degree, as with so many women, she chose family over career and had much wasted potential. Potential that will never now be fulfilled. At least that's how Cassie feels, and Cassie's battle with guilt and resentment over her dead mother is the backbone of this film.

Exploring grief in a painful, truthful occasionally funny way is one thing that this film does very well. The things said, the things unsaid, the feelings revealed to someone no longer there. Regret of never being able to say all the things you wanted to say, remorse of the things you did say. It's all there. What happens when you dedicate your life to your children, and your children worry they're not worth it?

Patricia Rozema directs this film with a lot of flair. Not only managing to get outstanding performances from her leading ladies, and original playwrights, Amy Nostbakken & Norah Sadava, but putting surrealistic touches into the flashbacks. Sometimes these women/this woman just breaks into song. And having the score be a capella humming done by Amy Nostbakken is bizarre, but weirdly effective.

A film dealing with generations of women who struggle to have it all and a palpable study of the grieving process. This is excellent and highly recommended.

My Mum may not have much longer left, so this was extremely poignant for me. It's funny, heartbreaking and very real. The 2 Cassies show the differing reactions one woman has to her mother's surprise death. It's like witnessing someone's internal thoughts, for all the good and bad they exhibit. You know how sometimes things come into your head that you'd never tell someone else? They're said in this film. It tells you it's ok to feel resentful or angry about some parts of your relationship with your Mum, because that's all part of loving someone. There's a wealth of good things to balance them out. Amy Nostbakken has put experience and immense honesty into it, it's a gem. And yes, I cried as it ended.

A powerful depiction of the mother - daughter relationship. The perfect balance of heartbreak and humour. Dark. Funny. Compelling. Highly entertaining. Full of heart. All of the feelings. At once. In no particular order. An incredible piece of art.