Tammy's Always Dying

I quite enjoyed the movie even though I usually don't watch movies that go into the darker dramedy spectrum with a lot of cold colors. But it had an authentic feel to it and the storyline was very well planned and written.

I also liked the way it was shot and directed and while most of the actors gave an amazing performance, I felt like at times you could see Felicity Huffmann acting which is something I personally don't like that much, but other than that I really enjoyed the movie.

This film is deeply moving and also very thought provoking. Be prepared to have a box of tissues to hand but also to be pleasantly surprised at the tone of this seemingly otherwise dark movie, which punctures the gloominess of the subject at the centre of the story, with bright and clever dialogue that will make you smile in the right places. Oh boy do you need those moments in this story.

Be in no doubt that this is not a story with a traditional happy ending which deep down part of me would have loved to have seen, but I fully understand why the film concludes in the way that it has, with Writer and Director choosing instead to travel down a road of truthful gritty realism that is refreshing if unsettlingly harrowing. Despite the melancholy mood that dominates, there are many moments of comedy and touching scenes that are perfectly weighted without detracting from the ability of the story to sensitively address what I am sure is such a serious subject that will touch a nerve so close to home for some of the audience. So be aware, as most TV shows will say, viewers will find some of the scenes distressing.

The story itself centres around the relationship between a mother (Tammy) and her daughter (Catherine). The effects of what must be decades of alcohol dependency together with tobacco addiction are alarmingly laid bare and the sense of torment evident in both Tammy and Cathrine is powerfully raw. Just as you think things can't get any worse for them, the cruel hand that has been dealt to Tammy and Catherine takes a darker twist when Tammy is diagnosed with terminal cancer and is given six to ten months to live. You would have to have the brain of a Dalek and the cold heart of a Cyberman to not be deeply moved by their respective predicaments.

Despite all of Tammy's self-destructive tendencies that push paternal mother-daughter bonds to beyond the limit, Catherine clearly feels compelled to try and save Tammy from a most terrible demise. Somewhere deep inside that withered shell of the broken woman Tammy has become, Cathy is desperate to find the sort of mother that every child needs or craves.

The bridge on which some of the action takes place plays a pivotal role in the film and could be considered as a key member of the cast. The nature of the scenes that take place on the bridge (over a live railway line!) morph this rusty old structure into a metaphor for the important life-decisions Tammy faces.

The writer of the story has chosen a subject that many more experienced Directors might choose to shy away from. Amy Jo Johnson is brave to dive in at the deep end so early in her directing career and that is to be admired. The strength of the narrative is anchored by performances from a cast whom, in my opinion are a dream team for this kind of film. The chemistry between the actors and the characters they portray makes for compelling viewing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this film and I can't wait to see what this rising star of a Director has in store for her next project.

Whoa, has Felicity Huffman ever let herself go!

With a mat of hair and raccoon mascara, Tammy boozes away her welfare check, then concludes her month binge with a wobbly climb to perch atop a precarious bridge, waiting for some form of salvation. Her daughter plays along with the routine, but this ain't no family love in.

Catherine has her own issues, and her crazy mother may or may not be the root cause. Irregardless, they coexist, sparring and pushing buttons as only direct kin can. The dynamic may be old hat, but it is balanced with a good balance of guilt, compassion, fury and a sneaky bite of dark comedy. Tammy's abusive train wreck act is hard to stomach, making Catherine's willingness to play the snappy Saint a bit puzzling. But there they are, stuck in their perfectly orchestrated ruts.

Huffman is particularly enjoyable as a totally despicable character, with just enough glimpses of joy and insight sprinkled amongst her destructive ways to offer some kind of hope. There's a human in there, somewhere.

"Tammy's Always Dying" is filmed under the omnipresent grey skies of former steel town Hamilton, a rubbly city oh so close to the flashy big time (Toronto) that cleverly mirrors its occupants. Life is hard, and even though there's something on the horizon, it may be unreachable. The second act plays with that rainbow goal dynamic, but muddies the pace, only to have it saved by film's end. The complicated mother - daughter relationship is the heart of the movie, and its ultimate redemption.

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This movie had an honest feel to it. It reminded me of the 1970 Canadian classic, Goin' Down the Road with it's stark characterizations. We all know these people. The storytelling was delivered open-faced with no surprises. It was refreshingly non-pretentious. Felicity Huffman, and Anastasia Phillips played their parts straight out, and were very believable, with veteran Clark Johnson acting as foil for both women.

If you're looking for a simple drama without mind bending twists to it, this won't disappoint.

Catherine MacDonald (Anastasia Phillips) finds her drunken mother Tammy MacDonald (Felicity Huffman) sitting on the edge of a suicide bridge. Tammy is always a mess. She is diagnosed with terminal cancer and becomes a constant caretaking burden. Only the chemo seems to be working and she refuses to die.

This is a Canadian indie directed by Amy Jo Johnson. I know her mostly from Felicity and it's nice that she is able to move behind the camera. I like some of her work here although the best scenes are these two lead actresses interacting with each other. They are giving some very raw performances. Of course, Huffman has some real life troubles and she is perfectly capable of transferring them onto the screen. As for the TV show, it's weirdly both unrealistic and insightful. Most of all, I would rather not have it since it seems to disrupt the mother-daughter relationship show. I want more time with these great ladies together.