Enda Bracken

A superbly nuanced film that asks valid philosophical questions. Yes - it is a comedy but it is the reverse side - the almost tragic side - of existential issues. It is a well-developed treatise and achingly confronts profound issues. Al. Performances are beautiful studies of various dimensions of the human condition - and the human crisis. The director successfully puts on to the screen a complete matrix of philosophical issues. Well Done.

An outstanding masterpiece that follows a steady, enfolding trajectory of increasing powerlessness and misery of an abused mother and her boys, through indignity and deprivation while pursued by her abusive husband (a N.Y. cop) who had originally used his power to gain her gratitude, to then marry her, isolate her physically and economically, and to physically beat her and then his two sons. It is also a masterful, economic study of the miseries and doubts of "strangers" who also are struggling to gain their own agency. Beautifully acted by all - displaying wretchedness, suspense and brutality. It is not overly-sentimental. The music is highly sensitive to the plot. Those who have read the Robert Ebert Review - will be stunned at the heavy-footed, leaden-eared weaknesses of the reviewer (Tomris Laffly) on 14 February 2019 (Valentine's Day!) who obviously missed the salient plot points about the mother's history and motivations revealed in the dialogue and the institutional and familial resistance she and the boys encounter. It is not syrupy. It is searingly biting. See It!! - and walk in the shoes of domestic violence victims for 2 hours.