WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Loss. It is never an easy road to travel when people who mean so much, who we’ve invested our hearts in, leave us. Regardless of the actual reasons or events that steal them away, the pain is sometimes more than we can initially handle–or at least, not without help. In the meantime, however, the methods by which we choose to cope can either be healthy or misplaced. Rosalie (Chloe Russell as Alexa Jansson) exists each day in a state of utter and total emotional deprivation. Living with her sister Sylvia (Jennifer Swirtz) and dementia-stricken mother Gladys (Willow Hale), she tries to rebuild life anew via her interior decorating business.
Watching everyone else’s lives moving forward while she remains stuck battling evident psychological pain, Rosalie considers a dire alternative until the sudden appearance of August (Benjamin Keepers), a handsome man who catches her eye and heart. Initially resistant to a relationship, the two begin to deeply bond, as August is willing to see beyond her mental state to the real person within. Constantly under the inquisitive watch of friend and office-mate Britt (Noelle Perris), the reality of August’s actual existence comes into question, even as Rosalie’s doctor, Logan (Chad Bishop), shows up on the scene in an attempt to regain connection with his wayward patient.
Refusing to believe she’s imagining things and desperate to have someone to love that loves her back, Rosalie’s journey to solid foundations and faith in God is only beginning, as what’s real and illusion becomes more and more elusive to determine.
Next, my Mind:
Delivering a very grounded, real-world, engrossing, and highly unique take on concepts of mental health, faith in God, loss, the delicate nature of the mind, and the paths taken towards healing, writer/director/co-producer Sandy Boikian’s feature length indie effort paints a dramatically striking portrait of human frailty and our fundamental, intrinsic need to feel loved, secure, and well-balanced, even when our present, undealt with circumstances are fighting against it. Utilizing a multi-dimensional narrative which also addresses personal battles specifically in Britt and a homeless, conflicted, but talented musician Fitz (Marco Aiello), the viewer watches as these lives ultimately intertwine into a bigger, higher purpose via the film’s core message of Christian faith. Combined with a solidly contemporary soundtrack and smoothly shot visual presentation, the twists and turns employed put an exclamation point on the proceedings.
Russell (again, here as Jansson) brings a wonderfully touching and highly emotive performance to the table as Rosalie, a woman who harbors the ramifications of a seriously painful blow to her life that derails reality and begins distracting her with figments of her imagination. Yet, even in the midst of this spiritual and sometimes tempestuous turmoil, she finds the strength to regain control and open up to being helped by those who genuinely care for her, though often still reluctantly in not wanting to face her problems. Keepers’ August is the perfect “everyman” here, and that works to superb effect given the circumstances being shown. Treating Rosalie with respect through humor, an unexpected level of understanding that totally disarms her hesitations, and pure affability, August’s playful demeanor and honest nature stand out even more when Keepers has to take the character into some difficult moments involving Rosalie’s struggles.
Strong supporting turns from Perris as Rosalie’s stalwart friend Britt, Bishop’s longsuffering but determined-to-help doctor Logan, Aiello’s playful but mildly unhinged musician Fitz, plus Swirtz, and Hale all contribute fully to the greater story in important and key ways. Overall, “Fragile World” stands as a fresh, distinctive, modern faith-based effort whose message is loud and clear, but not preachy, and sincerely makes one think anew about how we look at ourselves and others, realizing that there is true hope and love to turn to that will find us the peace and redemption we desire.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
