28. Mass; movie review

 

MASS

Cert 12A

111 mins

BBFC advice: Contains references to violence and mental health, upsetting scenes, strong language

Every parent dreads having to face tragedy and none ever prepare for it.

How would any of us react if we were told the worst had happened? Even as I write those words, I want to push the question aside.

Fran Kranz's brilliantly written and superbly acted Mass is an incredibly powerful and moving representation of parents in grief.

It is so intimate that I was convinced it must have been adapted from a theatre production but it appears it was written for cinema.

Mass begins with an over-enthusiastic church worker (Breeda Wool) fussing around over the room in which an important meeting is due to take place.

Simply arranging a bare table seems to be a matter of huge concern and then the gathering's organiser (Michelle N. Carter) arrives, sombre and unfriendly, making changes which makes the audience believe the participants will be very temperamental.

Then the quartet (Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd and Reed Birney) arrive, politely introducing themselves and even a gift is offered.

But not until a long way into their very difficult conversation do we know exactly why they are there.

Regardless of its low budget film and claustrophobic setting, Mass tackles some deep and urgent themes with startling intensity.

I will resist writing more because watching the layers peeled back of the families' backgrounds is essential to the enjoyment of Kranz's film.

He does this expertly and the actors give the performances of their respective lives.

It will stir emotions and, in my view, is a must-see.

Reasons to watch: Intense and enthralling

Reasons to avoid: All talk and no action

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 9/10

Did you know? Restorative Thinking encourages both mothers and fathers and those with a 'parenting' role to join the programme where possible so that there is a consistency of approach and that all those who look after the child receive the same message and therefore can offer the same support.§

The final word. Fran Kranz: "In many ways, the film is about how we live with grief, and how we can heal or potentially move forward, but how it never really leaves you, you just live with it differently." RogerEbert.com

Share this post