By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.75 cats
Director: Kim Albright
Starring: Anna Maguire | Arghavan Jenati | Donna Benedicto | Hamza Haq | Veena Sood
Year: 2024
Running time: 91
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23464394/reference/
Michael says: “I love when a quiet little film sneaks up on me then blows me away. I first heard about Kim Albright’s allegorical, speculative piece on the BrattleTheatre’s podcast earlier this year covering BUFF, the Boston Underground Film Festival. Now, I used to have a certain expectations of the type of films that BUFF would program, and it wasn’t this whimsical, spiritual grandchild of Patricia Rozema’s I’VE HEARD THE MERMAIDS SINGING that wears its heart firmly pinned to its sleeve (literally). Ironically, Albright’s film is also a Canadian production, so the through line is even stronger.
“In this film’s world, very similar to our own, people are more connected to their apps, and their virtual friends than the real, flesh-and-blood families that surround them. The world is not a good, or warm place, and those few who remain connected to their emotions, like our protagonist, Anabel, who also happens to be an artist, feel the pain of heartbreak strongly. Sometimes that pain can be overwhelming, and when it is that unbearable, many will literally tear the heart our of their chest, a painful, but not that difficult process that leaves the emotionless, and able to carry on their lives without pain.
“The many characters in WITH LOVE AND A MAJOR ORGAN manage to rise above the type that they are first presented to us as, to become three-dimensional humans, sometimes despite their lack of emotions. The acting is strong, the production design and special effects, despite the extremely low budget, or perhaps even because of it, work beautifully. The quirky score supports the odd premise. And Albright managers to wring some real emotion out of the viewer despite the absurdity of the story. If there is a flaw, and it’s a minor one, it’s the the allegory and symbolism hits pretty strongly right on the nose. But with all the other pluses, that a forgivable choice. This one may very well end up in my top 10 of the year. 4 1/2 cats“
Julie responds: “Michael’s review is on point. I loved this film. I too thought the acting was strong, perhaps a best ensemble nom? the lead Anna Maguire was fantastic. It never dawned on me it was low budget as the set design was so apropos. I loved it. The yarn was beautiful. The story was fantastic. Of course this would be from Canada which I just found out. 4.75 cats for me, maybe even 5.”
