231. Mari; movie review

MARI
Cert 12A
95 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language

This is one of those moments when I have to reiterate that I cannot possibly enjoy every type of art or film genre.
I just don't get temporary dance and, now I am in my 57th year, I am beginning to think it will never hit the mark with me.
Therefore, I am afraid that there are large slices of Georgia Parris's Mari which were never going to resonate.
In addition, I think contemplation is overrated in movies. I can sit in my garden and stare into space - I don't need to watch someone else doing it.
Mari surrounds Charlotte (Bobbi Jene Smith), a successful contemporary dancer who is preparing a show in London when she hears the news that her grandmother is dying.
Therefore, she drops everything and heads off to Dorset to join her mum (Phoebe Nicholls) and sister (Madeline Worrall) at her bedside.

Her emotions become even rawer when she discovers she is pregnant.
Dance sequences are woven so deeply into the movie's narrative that we see Charlotte suddenly burst into a routine when she is sitting in her gran's favourite chair.
To say that I found that rather odd would be an understatement.
Mari, or at least the version made available through Curzon On Demand, is literally dark - for much of the movie, I found difficult to fathom exactly what was going on.
On the plus side, I can report from experience that the scenes around the grandmother's death-bed are accurate and stunningly effective.
Unfortunately, they are not enough to recommend a movie which is far too arty for my taste.

Reasons to watch: Accurately observed family moments
Reasons to avoid: Very slow

Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 4/10

Did you know? Bobbi Jene Smith is the subject of a documentary which focuses on her departure from the Batsheva Dance Company in Israel after ten years.

The final word. Georgia Parris: "I have always loved watching dance. In a way it's an extension of body language."

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