Indie Film Review “Magnetosphere” The trials of growing up, being in love, and knowing yourself while confronting synesthesia
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Growing up is hard to do. Yes, we’ve ALL heard this at some point during our childhood. Most likely, it’s said to ourselves when having to confront things we simply would rather NOT deal with, and hence wish we DIDN’T have to grow older at all. While the actuality of time passing and the steadily increasing facets of life unavoidably arise for us to encounter, what happens when one of the biggest challenges we must handle is something no-one else can even see?
Thirteen year-old Maggie (Shayelin Martin) doesn’t see things the way other people do. In fact, she not only sees, but hears, feels, and vexatiously inhabits a pervasive and dominating condition know as synesthesia. With sounds and colors having a completely different impact on her already changing teenage view of the world, and sometimes overwhelmed senses, will Maggie be able to discover who she is, what it is to cope with it, and in the meantime try to enjoy the pains and triumphs her young life brings?
Next, my Mind:
What most would refer to as “invisible” conditions that some people must contend with on a daily basis is NO laughing matter in itself. This critic recently reviewed a taut drama that included a character who lived with CRPS for example, and it demonstrated how to anyone else OTHER than the person who actually has it, the nature of it is otherwise NOT remotely conspicuous on the surface. Hence, “invisible”, but NOT remotely non-existent. These types of conditions are normally addressed with a far more serious tone so as not to invalidate or disrespect the very reality of discomfort, pain, and frustration they cause. However, what ALSO impresses me is when a filmmaker can take an existing condition that has similar “hidden” elements, still treat it with all due respect, yet find the means to turn it into a dramatically lighthearted, whimsically comedic story that charms, persuades, fully entertains, and still raises awareness. Folks, THIS is that film.
From writer/director/executive producer Nicola Rose, producers Tierney Boorboor, Rebeka Herron, and Drew Martin, alongside executive producers Mark A. Baum, Steven He, William Hui, and Ian Schulz, plus co-executive producer Mara McCann, this absolutely enchanting, unavoidably delightful, playfully heartening 89-minute indie feature is, frankly, PRECISELY what the doctor ordered. Through its narrative that follows a timid 13-year old girl who not only must navigate the constant symptoms she encounters with synesthesia, but must also handle the added embarrassments, apprehensions, and actualities of now BEING a teenager, a rather…eccentric…father, newly growing “feelings” for someone, finding acceptance, and trying to truly understand WHO she is, the film is an indisputably winning prospect all-around, with intelligent (albeit intentionally silly) humor, perfect pacing, and moral lessons that make it so relatable and accessible.
The visual illustrations utilized here to portray and emphasize both the projective and associative types of the condition in question carry wondrous curiosity and fascination while likewise, at times, seeming so overly unsettling and even to an extent scary, which only serves to allow us the viewer to credibly comprehend it all while having the context of Maggie’s character to place it with. In the meantime, the thematic journeys delivered are plenty, with the pressures of moving to a new town, bullying, feeling like an outcast, being scrutinized, facing massive insecurities and associated anxiety, connecting with what we feel within, battling self-image, the weight of trying to grow up too quickly instead of just relaxing and easing into it, how our mistakes cause us to learn, grow, and ideally improve ourselves, letting go, and realizing the value of making the most of ALL that makes you, well, YOU get expressed and expanded on here to excellent magnitudes.
The finale is nothing less than fantastical in its stirring and emotive beauty, eliciting smiles and sighs of total contentment to boot. Martin is magnetically endearing, drawing you into the narrative with a sophisticatedly engaging air of vulnerability, youthful vigor, and a matureness beyond her years through the role of Maggie, a girl being forced to transform herself in multiple ways when life and the condition she’s battling all collide anew with a new town combined with the basic growing pains of just being a teenager. Struggling to find her place amidst incessant bullying, her own innate yet perceived inadequacies, a newly budding friendship, doting but innocently unaware parents, and the veiled perspective of all around her that no one else can comprehend or tangibly see, will Maggie overcome it all and discover the all-encompassing freedom she longs for? It’s a magical, deeply affecting performance Martin delivers, heartbreaking and elevating at the same time.
Primary, and simply superb, supporting roles begin with Patrick McKenna as Maggie’s father Russell, a VERY boisterous theater director who has massive plans for his upcoming production of “The Pirates of Penzance”…and is assuredly aiming to make sure EVERYONE knows about it, whether at home or elsewhere! McKenna is just sublime in his jocularity-filled portrayal of the character, but does show moments of seriousness when it comes to his character’s love for his daughter. Tania Webb is Helen, Maggie’s mother who, needless to say, may or may not hold some…regrets…about whom she married, yet is absolutely committed to Russell and her family, while also being quite the vocal mouthpiece of hesitations when things don’t seem to be going quite right at home. Webb likewise has this wonderfully amusing sense of timing that makes the instances of hilarity she’s a part of all the more fun to watch. Zooey Schneider is Evie, Maggie’s younger sister who loves to be that playfully annoying sibling who calls out her sister if the opportunity presents itself in order to embarrass her, especially when a crush is in the picture!
Schneider is just adorable here, making you chuckle many a time yet also winning your heart with her crazy degrees of spunkiness as Evie. Mikayla Kong plays Wendy, a girl from Maggie’s new school that actually makes the effort to show genuine friendship and support to her. Even as their friendship blooms, there might be another layer Wendy is seeking, and it makes for an interesting side story here. Kong embodies this character so adeptly, a strong and stirring portrait of someone desperate to know themselves, explore what they are feeling, and try their best to be there for a friend even when there are times she’d rather not. Steven He is Travis, one of Maggie’s father’s key cast members for the musical whom becomes the older, attractive center of attention for Maggie’s first sense of being in love. How He so deftly portrays this kind of situation as both innocently oblivious then full-on awkward is magnificent, and it really SELLS you on Travis’ character so you totally get why she is enamored with him and how he is just attempting to be a good friend to her.
THEN there is THE Colin Mochrie. Folks, to say this consummate comedic GENIUS steals every single scene he’s in would be the understatement of the century. Here, the veteran actor/comedian plays Gil, a rather…off-kilter…local “plumber” and “exterminator” who causes more than his fair share of utterly riotous chaos at Maggie’s house when the family calls upon his services as they settle into the new residence WHILE also showing he might be smarter and more talented than the surface would ever let on. This is pure comedy brilliance, and Mochrie brings out ALL the skills to make the most of what had to be an amazingly fun role to play! Debra McGrath is Ms. Deering, a teacher at Maggie’s school who very much becomes one of the few initial sources of true support, kindness, and encouragement that her new student needs. I just love the sincerity with which McGrath plays the character, as it’s the ideal we would all hope real life teachers would possess. Jordyn Gillis is Jessica, the school’s decidedly arrogant “Queen Bee” who makes it her life’s mission to humiliate and torment Maggie as much as possible.
Because of that particular direction the character takes, Jessica is one of those “love to hate” presences in the film, and that’s a total testament to Gillis’ acting that create those feelings about someone you just want to somehow see “get theirs”. Tara Strong, via voice only, is Captain Cassiopeia, a space-suited, straight-out-of-a-sci-fi show doll who acts to represent Maggie’s present and discouraging insecurities, though it IS totally hilarious HOW these sentiments of woe come out through a voice only Maggie can hear, thanks to the sheer and, again, snarky wittiness Strong brings. Additional but still key supporting appearances come about from William C Cole, Bruce Stanfield, Avery O’Brien, Abigail Yaw, Foster Hamilton, Lisa Cromarty, Ian Schulz, Trish Rainone-DiLuzio, Shelley Gold, and Ryan Anthony Mauro.
So, in total, “Magnetosphere” makes an emphatically fearless, accomplished, well-executed leap in addressing its foundational themes with rib-tickling humor, unadulterated hope, and faultless forbearance for those who live with synesthesia, all while infusing the film with an eloquent glimpse into the burdens of youth, overcoming adversity, choosing to BE YOURSELF, and finding the authentic solidarity yearned for in the most important of places…family and friends.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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