The Edge of Her Mind Anthology

With a variety of POVs and cinematic styles, it's one of the most dynamic and refreshing anthologies you will see this decade. If you want the talent of Sundance but would rather sit at home, out of the snow and take in the groundbreaking messages in your pajamas, watch Edge of Her Mind. If you are a woman, if you know a woman or if you've ever come into the vicinity of a woman, you might get something out of it. The personal standouts for me were Abundance Cafe, Uncertainship and especially Fragile Storm. Talk about subjects that I will probably think about 8 years later or films that can change the way you think about humanity. Don't skip out on this one.

Anthology films are usually a mixed bag (I should know, I contributed to one). Edge of Her Mind is a rare case where each episode is amazing in its own way. The situations and emotions always ring true, whether it's heart wrenching drama, or ebullient comedy. The performances are strong across the board. I almost hesitate to mention it, because these are women-focused stories, but Lance Henriksen gives one of the best performances of his career. The writing and directing are excellent. And though the budget probably wasn't large, the production value was quite good. One small note, and maybe it was just an issue watching it on my system, but the closed captions on Tubi were way out of sync. Enough so that it was distracting. Other than that, I loved this film!

This wonderful anthology of short films hits on all cylinders of human emotions. The works of these nine women filmmakers bring to light today's current issues affecting women from youth to senior. I was enlightened by each story as it unfolded. I was given a view of the struggles women endure in silence and out loud. As a caregiver to both my parents, the last ten years with just my mother, I saw first-hand her struggle with mental illness as Alzheimer's slowly took her mind away, and eventually her life. The Edge Of Her Mind should be seen and discussed by all, especially those who have dealt with a loved one who's suffered from mental health issues presently, or in the past.

Not a blockbuster but the movie is a well thought out collection of short stories giving insight into various situations or circumstances a woman may experience, and ingeniously conveying their subconscious mind for the audience to understand. The two anthologies I could relate to the most and even remotely consider educational were about caregivers. The script and acting were amateurish in some of the segments. Herein, with these inconsistencies, it lost some of its' power. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who has ADHD. The movie is fast moving and hard to follow at times. An important detail can be lost in the blink of an eye and the movie is definitely not good enough to keep one on the edge of their seat.

Let start this review off right: I truly enjoyed this film. The vignettes of challenges and emotional trickbags often faced by women were spot-on, and filled my thoughts with the often vague intricacies of femininity, relationships, and what often goes on in the deeper recesses of a woman's mind. And the episodic approach works well, given the context of the film. It's rare to find an anthology that isn't related to horror/suspense, much less to find any independent film that is as enjoyable as "The Edge of Her Mind". Each snippet was well-done, and there is nothing to criticize about the technical aspects of the film - everything is just right. This is often not the case with independent movies. And it's not just the production quality that impressed me, but also the quality of the acting, writing and direction. All were to-notch, with too many great talents to mention individually. In the movie Titanic, Rose said "A woman's heart is a deep ocean of secrets", and that's a beautiful, heartfelt, funny, and terrifying thing for women to reconcile, but even more so for men. Having been married to my bestest best friend ever for nearly 20 years, I know this to be an absolute truth, and this film explores some of the deep wellspring found within the mind and soul of every woman. Watch this film with your significant other, and I guarantee there will be some truly insightful and enlightening conversations afterward. Highly recommended.