source: Mass

source: Mass

This is the first film I watched, on january 1st, and I'm going to remember it and recommend it to everyone for the rest of the year. Pure dialogue, there is not one minute of silence, is like you're really there with the four of them. I had no idea what the movie is about and the film absolutely broke me, is a lot. You should watch this movie without knowing anything about it, just go watch it. One of the best movies of 2021.

What a movie... So deep so intense.. The characters are so well written and made that you can't take your eyes off the screen. Emotions.. Rage.. Happiness.. Compassion and forgiveness are almost the feeling that you are going through... In fact are much more than these. This is a movie that you don't watch every day.

I watched this movie without reading the description of it so had no idea what to expect. It drew me in with the subtle details, a look, a cough a tear. Slowly it is revealed what the situation is between the two sets of parents. They have something in common-something very tragic. Seeing the aftermath of this event through two different sides is fascinating and heart tugging. Most of the film is the dialogue between the parents but it is NOT boring. It is insightful and you can't help but lean in and really listen. I believe Martha Plimpton & Maureen O'Dowd both deserve Academy Award nominations for their roles.

Two couples meet in a neutral church room for a discussion. It takes 36 minutes of absolute boredom before we discover what happened and even then it is just snippets. As it turns out Hayden was responsible for a school shooting which killed 10 kids (and then himself). These are the parents of one of the children looking for answers. The film only touches on politics, gun control, and violent video games. It is a drama about a child feeling isolated and mental illness. I will say it was well acted, however I found the topic boring. What was with the camera panning outside all the time? Was that a see I am clever, I can make the audience feel isolated? Guide: F-word.

Devastating, an emotional wrecker, _Mass_ is drama at its best, with powerhouse performances, slow burn revelations and unforeseen heartbreaks. Set in one room, with a back and forth between two couples, this is chicken soup for a cinephile's soul. It is well made, topical and will leave you thinking hard about the aftermath of violence. Hugely recommended.

2 couple meet at a small church. 2 of them the parents of a boy murdered in a mass shooting years before, the other 2 the parents of the killer. This could easily have been overwrought or sentimental or just plain dull. In fact it is never less than completely absorbing as all four look to find some explanation for what occurred. It's impossible to find the best actor amongst them as all impress, each battling to help each other but looking to blame someone or something for what happened. Often these type of intense chamber pieces are too hard to watch, but this just seemed grounded and accessible.

One of my favorite movies of all time is Carnage with Kate Winslet (2012). A great film with just four absolutely brilliant actors and one long drawn out conversation. While that was a dark comedy, I was excited to see another film with a similar set up. I had no clue how heavy Mass would be but I'm glad I watched it. It adds nuance to tragedy and showcases some phenomenal acting. The intensity of the format, when done well as here and in Carnage, is mind blowing.

Sauce