Susan Rose Gale

I think I loved this film because I could really see all the characters and had to work a little and follow my instincts. Seeing who was the cast, I thought it would be good, but it was so much more for me and I still am not sure why yet so I may come and edit this later. But, I was not disappointed. Terrific performance by all. So well done. It is like finding a little known little place to eat where the people are as good as the food and you love the whole experience. Hard to find, and never forgotten. Unlike the formula films of mass consumption, easily forgotten.... this one is to be relished. Will be watching it again soon.

I was looking forward to watching this and was a little disappointed. I realize now that I was hoping for more character development, and transformational relationships, but now I know what was missing after thinking a bit; Francis's character transitioned from a small world with a narrow one dimensional outlook on life to a wider one with appreciation, but the relationships she did make were not nurtured enough in showing how she changed her view. The focus was on her isolation, which is real, and part of the reality but the story could have sparked more when the relationships popped into view, to reflect and show us (her) how we show up in the world. It did that to a point. I think it just missed something along the way, had there been more intimate and tough discussions, between what few people in her life were there, which in turn were an opportunity to build the characters to make you care more. I still give it 4 stars, because of the courage to make this movie with a "this is it, keep it real" point of view and of coarse the actors did a terrific job but felt it just fell short and it didn't have to. Poverty is not always a choice but relationships are...that was hinted at but not developed. What really makes someone care enough to see them? To explore the possibilities of what being honest with each other can really accomplish. It is hard to pull off in a script, but this was the perfect setting for that difficult task. Maybe a series would do the trick? Maybe I am too demanding of writers to produce what we all struggle to do. I hope by sharing my thoughts it will help writers to be braver.

Beautifully done. Losing a child at any stage, but a new born in particular has never been done so well as this movie does. The loss of a child will shatter any souls physic, but only love will heal it and I think this movie did a great job showing that in such a powerful way. Loss impacts all relationships in the lives that surround it. It is messy, it takes a different path for each person. And people do not know what to do with a mother who lost their baby. It showed that shock so realistically, the impact the energy we all hold in when we are faced with someone who has loss. And that is very real. The Grandmothers birth, and past, and the shame that colored her perception and drove her controlling reaction was key to the whole lesson we have to learn as a society. How to allow for loss. Please make room for it - acknowledge it. Let each person grieve and just be there; listen, or allow the silence because sometimes that is all one needs. That is all you can do. Thank you for making this movie, it really is needed to help those who need it to heal.