Indie Film Review “Lady Parts” With winning heart, humor, and dramatic gravitas, the “V” word, and a condition pertaining to it, gets its just due
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Isn’t the human body a wonderful mechanism? Well, at least when everything is working correctly! We can all attest to the times when, whether through physical or mental factors, our bodies can most assuredly be damaged, causing us distress, the need for correction, and consequently the need to heal. When such events start at an early age, it only makes it harder to accept, feel normal, or be convinced that we are not simply broken. Then, the question is….are we willing to take the steps necessary to find the physical and emotional release we require?
For Paige (Valentina Tammaro), a vivacious, talented young woman, life is still not complete, especially when it comes to her sex life. Having to face consistent pain and the core actuality of things just not functioning right…down there…Paige is confronted with a condition, her associated dilemma, and the need to have a vulvar vestibulectomy. When the entire situation involuntarily becomes a family affair, the road to sexual liberation may be a little more cringe-worthy, and unexpectedly redemptive, than she ever thought possible….for everyone involved.
Next, my Mind:
This critic had recently reviewed an indie feature film comedy entitled “The OG Bootcamp“. It took a highly effective, boldly blunt direction in addressing a specific aspect of the good ole fashioned, three-letter “S” word and turned it into a bit of mockumentary-style insanity. It was a total trip, admittedly containing plenty of humor that in itself is not my normal cup of tea, yet undeniably riotous and entertaining to view. So when I was even more recently offered the opportunity to take in a 98-minute indie feature film from director/producer Nancy Boyd, writer/producer/executive producer Bonnie Gross (based on her own life, this is!), producers Meghan Griesbeck and Luke Novella, plus associate producer Michelle Viviana Uribe entitled “Lady Parts”…..am I safe to state that it certainly piqued my curiosity? Yet, my ingrained concern about just what kind of ride I was in for this time around reared up. Yes, this was precisely how I felt.
You know, I honestly just LOVE to be surprised! Illustrating the pure creativeness, artistic integrity, fearless mindset, and desire to find any and all means to take a serious condition, treat it with all due respect, allow it to be a declaration of educational purpose and resolve, all while manifesting an entertaining romp that had me both laughing and dramatically stirred, this film is one huge testament to indie cinema’s unadulterated beauty and power. Thanks to real life foundational events, the narrative’s course sees the wrenching reality of one young woman’s quest to overcome a major issue involving her vulvar vestibule, having her hilariously, but understandably, overbearing parents inject themselves into her plight, and the road to her freedom from the consequent operation she requires that will test every fiber of her identity as a woman, all while potentially finding the kind of life and love she’s always wished to have, but was held back from.
The wonder of this effort is found IN the fact that there is so much wittiness to be had here, again taking such a difficult condition and leading us with cleverly constructed writing into something that, being frank, both women AND men in a viewing audience can relate to. THAT is pure magic. And it IS this sense of deep empathy and legitimate knowledge-gaining this film presents that makes it so. The thematic ventures and tangents here are legion. Feeling “broken” as a person, battling being self-conscious, having to realize you are not alone in a struggle, being resistant to our parent’s help when it feels more like interference than support, the sheer awkwardness of having to face a decidedly challenging impairment, the sacrifices we must make in the name of health, being cared for, discovering the humor in discomfort, financial burdens, the pursuing of dreams, the loss of opportunity that could end up revealing new chances are all expressed and explored.
Additionally, the realization of how our own journey through a series of circumstances, both massively frustrating yet ultimately cathartic, can impact more people than we might ever know or otherwise (unexpectedly) manage to see occurring and then take part promoting, it makes for this all-encompassing, very human, dramedy-driven atmosphere and film that SHOULD HAVE the kind of persuasive and influential reverberations it does. The finale is one which felt totally suited the film’s path, and while bittersweet in some respects, it was magnificent in showcasing the triumph of the human will and soul to conquer obstacles, refusing to bow down to trouble, and learning to get out of our own way when necessary to experience a necessary and even more fulfilling outcome that initially believed would come around. And let’s be candid and clear….it DOES get you to utter the word “vagina” and NOT in itself feel like it’s some horrible taboo to say it.
Tammaro is exceptionally excellent in this film, imbuing a potent combination of sheer fun, comedic timing, charming energy, heartbreaking vulnerability, and giving us a credibly strong overall performance through her role as Paige. In the height of her sexual prime yet debilitatingly unable to enjoy it due to a particular body part’s contrary behavior and equally crippling condition she’s had since childhood, the unavoidable avenue to finally deal with it becomes far more involved, and WAY less personal, than she anticipated. Yet, in it, will Paige end up believing that all she’s lost, past and present, will come about anew if she finds the will to stay the course? Or will it overwhelm her and leave her totally despondent and buried in a self-critical, self-defeating place? It is this quandary the character must traverse, and Tammaro is conclusively believable in navigating this character through it all, with sharp wit, innocent magnetism, and steady, adept poise.
Amy Lyndon is an absolute treat here, even managing to steal some scenes while just allowing herself to share copious amounts of screen time alongside Tammaro that is often hysterical but then so richly moving through her role as Linda, Paige’s mom. Once learning of her daughter’s predicament, it is all hand’s on deck to be there for her…except in a little bit more direct way than Paige ever wanted! Yet, even with the early resistance Paige has to her involvement, Linda works her motherly ways and soon, she could become a true bedrock of reason, encouragement, and wholehearted support Paige doesn’t realize she will need. It is a winning performance throughout by Lyndon, who again is able to bounce back and forth between comedy and drama so fluidly, which serves the character, and this narrative, perfectly.
In a similar manner, Peter Larney totally excels through his role as Steve, Paige’s amazingly low-key but incredibly doting father, whose ability to be there for his daughter when she’s dealing with an extremely female-centric condition is nothing short of gleefully and endearingly heartening. Even when it seems he plays second fiddle to Linda’s stronger, up-front personality and more conspicuous levels of involvement with Paige’s painful and emotionally volatile actuality, Steve’s unquestionable degree of love, advice, appreciation towards, and stalwart “I will do anything for my daughter” demeanor is evident throughout. I thoroughly relished Larney’s performance, as he, like Lyndon, is just so grounded and pleasurable to witness guide a character through this story, an “everyman” attitude shining forth will brilliantly conveyed realism. Truthfully, Steve is the kind of father any child should wish for, and that is an affirmation of Larney’s take on Steve here.
Lars Midthun rounds out the primary cast as Cody, an entirely affable young man whom Paige meets when working a coffee house/local cafe job during the latter stages of her healing process. Having gone through all she has, Paige’s attraction to him is immediate, but still filled with a hesitancy given she still hasn’t totally coped with the newfound freedom she longs for but doesn’t quite possess yet. However, Cody’s way of convincing her to interact and eventually begin to explore a relationship is filled with such sincere verity and intent, that it is hard to NOT see them getting together. Midthun’s performance as Cody exudes, even radiates, the qualities of real interest, a truly soft heart and soul, and an acceptance of Paige simply for who SHE is as a person that wholly exemplifies the “ideal guy” here. It’s the road these two characters will end up on together that gives the film its other relational core, and Midthun certainly flourishes in the role.
Primary supporting roles arrive from Ben Lepley as Dr. Silverstein who will play a pivotal part in Paige’s choices to face her condition and Hannah Battersby as Hannah, a childhood friend of Paige’s with whom she ends up reconnecting with in a unexpected way. Additional supporting turns come from Quentin Boyer, Jade Santana, Jens Sweaney, Alyx Lee, Angelina Brower, Andriana Manfredi, Coby Larinde, Susanne Potrock, Caroline Stevens, George Mock, Bonnie Gross, Heather-Ashley Boyer, Colin Davis, Antoinette Taddeo, Luke Novella, and Alexis Landry among a host of others. As with so many ensemble casts, I wish I had the space to expand on all of your appearances/performances, but alas that isn’t feasible. Please take satisfaction that you and your contributions to the film are seen and appreciated!
So, in total, “Lady Parts” is a beautifully, deftly crafted, amusing, uplifting-but-purposefully forthright dramedy and awareness-raising gem of an indie film, capturing us with hard realities, equally formidable choices, what it is to encounter them, finally accept them, take them on, and watch them change us for the better…physically, mentally, emotionally, and beyond…with it all turning into a platform that could alter other people’s lives in the process. It makes this film, well, more than the sum of its parts, eclipsing that three-letter “s” word and the “v” word to provide a narrative we can ALL find something applicable from. OH OK, FINE! Vagina. Vagina. Vagina. There, I SAID it. THREE times in a row, and FOUR times overall here. Happy?? “wink, wink”.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
