WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW
First, the Recap:
An assemblage of like-minded individuals, brought together in their sharing of common circumstance especially, would always, ideally, seem like a well-founded, constructive concept to pursue. For is it not for mutual benefit that those who might need guidance, encouragement, support, and other perspectives might discover the answers and resolutions they’ve sought but perhaps been thwarted from finding? Yes, this is a highly healthy atmosphere of trust, equality, and safety….right? Tommy (Tommy Malek) leads a cadre of individuals who all have inward and outward battles to overcome: Matt (Marcus Watson), Jackie (Heaven Nikitenko), Tricia (Tricia Buerke), Ricky (Chris Rivera), Haulston (Haulston Mann), Rena (Renata Fajti), Sullie (Nicolas Sullivan), Joe (Joe Montoya), Allie (Allie Press), Mike (Michael Lake), Kaye (Susan Ly), and Dan (Don Scribner). All seems uncomfortable, mostly amiable, a tad volatile, and hopefully productive as their meeting ensues. The question is: are real truths being expressed or is something more boiling under the surface?
Next, my Mind:
The oft explored concepts of group therapy, the sobering, relentless demons of addiction, the desire to seek release, and the painfully ingrained struggles to admit the need for help that’s associated with it all gets quite bluntly (and with an ultimately harrowing twist!!) unearthed through an equally, unflinchingly raw sensibility, tension-filled atmosphere, and beautifully clever execution via this two hour indie feature film from writer/director/executive producer William R A Rush, producer Xxena N. Rush, executive producer Matthew Setley, plus associate producers Tricia Buerke, Gary Mutch, and Nicolas Sullivan. What makes this effort stand out so well, besides its completely character-driven narrative development and how intelligently the notion of “Hello, my name is…and I’m an addict” is addressed with full and due respect to those who are in this position, is how deftly the seriousness of the primary thematic foundation gets turned in its head by Act 3.
The narrative which finds a motley, highly diverse, and utterly differing-in-attitude gathering of twelve people looking to gain acceptance, listening ears, and ideally a liberation of mind, heart, and soul from the vices that have plagued their existence is delivered with what some might concede is a slow burn approach that dwells with total intentionality on each character and their plight, creating a constantly unfolding individual yet undeniably mutually shared aura that seems to be hanging by a thread one moment then genuinely empathetic the next. To say it offers a clashing of personalities would be an understatement, and that’s part of the film’s grounded and, this critic feels anyway, realistic magic, showcasing a willingness to demonstrate that meetings of this nature truly might not be the all-encompassing home of needed sympathy and niceness right away thanks to the sheer volatility of people under immense inner turmoil and physical/mental stress.
To add to this already stormy situation, it slowly becomes apparent that some (or ALL??!) of what certain people are sharing may or may NOT be actuality, which only increases the air of animosity between the attendees even as the group leader desperately attempts to maintain some semblance of order. But, let’s also more than be clear here that when these jaded, hurt, deeply vulnerable people are expounding on their unique circumstances, each is given “film reel” imagery to accompany their tale that really puts a sincere emotional punch to what they’re speaking about, and it is heartbreaking to know that addiction is NO EASY THING to conquer, much less possessing the boldness to feel secure enough to let it out in such a setting as depicted. This is where the narrative takes on the unpredictability of cross-talk, accusations, judgement, invalidation of another’s pain, loss of logical thinking, depression, false reliance on harmful sources to accomplish our goals, and how misery becomes routine. Folks, this IS real for far too many people in this world, and the film I hope will become that reminder and wake-up call to ALL of us to not disregard what’s seen.
However, THEN having come through the candidness and hardship of a dozen people already on the edge with themselves and each other, there’s the film’s GENIUS of a finale that, shall we simply say, puts forth reveals and the subsequent flurry of events, which we as the viewer become “in the know” about before things mercilessly hit the fan, that is rife with instances of (VERY) dark humor, unforeseen connections, and building, unfettered horror. Honestly, it’s brilliant. Disturbing (to an admittedly entertaining extent!) but just plain brilliant. Period. Moving on, we have the very sizable ensemble cast amassed for this foray into confessed dysfunction and (for the most part) desire to achieve personal reconciliation and improvement, and I am being transparent in that I wasn’t totally sure HOW it would all go given the format the story was apparently going to be presented through, but let me be one to say, I was fantastically, pleasantly, and convincingly surprised.
To give each actor the kind of detailed write-up this critic would usually prefer would unequivocally cause this review to morph into the Great American Novel, so I am aiming to do justice first to this array of actors by unabashedly congratulating them as the WHOLE they were for this film. The beauty of how the characters we witness were so wonderfully contrasting and distinctive as played by each actor portraying them is alone commendable here, a testament to the commitment to acting quality and talent each one has attained. As this kind of narrative required the presence of believably flawed, normal human beings to latch onto through the film, rather than more “cookie-cutter” stereotypes I guess I would say, this cast adeptly embodied the singular yet fluctuating mannerisms, unsettled demeanors, unbridled passion, anger, desperation, and tangibly stirring intensity of their respective roles with admirable skill and credibility.
Watson’s Matt is a study in dichotomy when his addictions cross professional life and personal life differently in his head and initial actions, Nikitenko’s Jackie just tried to find the ability to cope and escape until influence almost caused shattering loss, Buerke’s Tricia has discovered that huge success does NOT always amount to happiness or healthy habits, Rivera’a Ricky believed he was everyone’s social better until injury proved otherwise, Mann’s Haulston found somewhat involuntary popularity through peer pressure and sports culture but tried to get out of it, Fajti’s Rena fell into the rock star life until it began destroying all she loved, Sullivan’s Sullie had a jarring moment in his career that has him seeking his addiction still with possibly little or no regret, Montoya’s Joe speaks to this society’s intolerance and prejudice and the means sought to “hide” from it, Press’ Allie presents a victim of her own rage yet also a misrepresented image and situation, Lake’s Mike is basically lost in a haze from a trauma he’s still crushed by, Ly’s Kaye is a wild card whose story and purpose in the group could become a catalyst for suspicion of anything she offers.
And finally Scribner’s Dan, who likewise becomes an enigma to the group, being the oldest there yet harboring his own depth of inward addiction yet to be brought to light while acting as the host of the meeting in his home. Malek’s Tommy is the group leader who, suffice it to say, ends up with MUCH more than he can handle even as he is a fount of the expected counseling tropes along the way while endeavoring to keep the group sane and cohesive. Even all of THIS is but scratching the surface of each character’s tales, and hence again why I say this ENTIRE cast excelled in their roles throughout, to which I say a hearty “BRAVO!!!” to you all. So, in total, “Group” is a veritable feast of indie film prowess, fueled by compelling realism, engaging, fervent dramatic vigor, and necessary awareness-raising objectives intermixed with acutely smart elements that still make it wholly entertaining and well worth watching.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
