Sep 12

Sep 12 TIFF 2021 film review: 'All My Puny Sorrows'

*Image courtesy of Toronto International Film Festival.*

Two sisters grapple with generational depression and the lingering pall of suicide in the family drama 'All My Puny Sorrows' (screening during the 46th Toronto International Film Festival).

In short: Concert pianist Elf (Sarah Gadon) becomes obsessed with ending her life when her writer sister Yoli (Alison Pill) learns of Elf's intentions.

While 'Sorrows' respectfully finds the emotional weight and legacy of depression, the script doesn't feel natural. This film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Miriam Toews - and the screenplay sounds like it was just transcribe straight from the book. This is a problem because what works in a novel doesn't necessarily work when spoken by an actor. Yoli trades witty banter with her rebellious daughter Nora and Elf - it's entertaining but the tone feels inappropriate for the subject at times. It's honestly distracting when Yoli and her no nonsense aunt casually discuss Elf's lack of expertise when it comes to a 'successful' suicide versus other family members, who were apparently 'experts' when it came to suicide.

"It appears the car is dead" and "Life is always teaching us lessons" are actual lines of dialogue - the script is consistently stilted, unnatural and verbose. Although 'Sorrows' is steeped in depression, anxiety and regret, the dialogue is unequipped - it's less authentic than real-life and not as effective or powerful as any episode of 'This Is Us.' Emotionally distant or artificial dialogue works fine for any blockbuster or silly movie - but films powered by raw emotions and self-examination need to feel and sound as grounded and real as possible.

Sadly, the mediocre dialogue underserves the film's meaningful exploration of sadness, from general malaise to suicidal ideation. From the outside, Elf's life looks perfect and Yoli's life looks disastrous - yet its Elf who is intent on ending her life and Yoli desperately trying to figure her life out. So many stories exist in the brutal aftermath of a loved one succumbing to self-harm or characters rediscovering a will to live. 'Sorrows' lives in a space of inconsolable despair - a sadness that cannot be solved or assuaged.

Sarah Gadon delicately balances poise and hopelessness as the depressive pianist. While Yoli (Pill) is forced to examine her life, Gadon's performance allows Elf to be the film's footing. Her performance epitomizes the heart of 'Sorrows' - that depressive sadness doesn't look or act any one specific way to the outside world. Gadon's performance humanizes a facet of depression that is difficult to admit exists - that one person's sadness can, perhaps incomprehensibly, be complete and beyond the grasp by those around her.

Final verdict: 'Sorrows' treats Elf, a character seemingly undeterred in her intent to harm herself, with uncommon dignity and grace - with Gadon's performance adding dimension and humanity to the disease that is depression. Unfortunately the film proves dialogue that works in a novel doesn't always translate smoothly or organically to film.