Pammy M

I found this film boring and slow. The boredom creeps up on you as you wait for some sense of connection with the protagonist who suddenly disappears without a trace. Dovid's disappearing act was the reason for his adopted brother Martin to become obsessed with finding him. The search for Dovid is not very interesting and when they finally reunite there's no evidence of the bond that they shared as brothers. The main reason for Dovid leaving abruptly is in and of itself a horrendous reality that is unseen. The film's director may have wanted us to feel the depths of the empty spaces people leave behind as they pass through our lives but unfortunately the whole story ended up feeling empty and bleak. Job well done I suppose.

The film's pace is slow and boring at times. The story being told is one of hardship and pain with fleeting moments of joy. For some reason the upstairs master bedroom is at the center of the drama where hideous pain brings both life and death. The actors were believable and the father is compelling and repulsive at the same time. The final scene is reminiscent of Gone With The Wind but it lacks the powerful leading lady whose talent can carry such a heavy weight of love and loss. This will not be a classic...

I loved the subtle character development and storyline. This is a gem of a movie with actors who are capable of bringing the depth of their characters nuances to us in a way that fully immerses you into their narrative. Subtle isn't very popular in the main stream but take time to enjoy these gentle still waters and enjoy 😊

Watch this film if you want a glimpse of family life with an overt narcissistic mother. The destructive force of this personality disorder is on display for all to see what's normally hidden behind closed doors. Streep and Roberts performances are so painfully accurate that you will be deeply troubled by the reality of a truly broken/shattered family. Not an easy one to watch but truly memorable for all the right reasons.