Indie Film Review “Hello, Beautiful” A necessary, inspired rediscovering of self, family, and indomitability through adversity
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
What is it to TRULY experience life interrupted? While we make our way through each morning, afternoon, and evening, confronting our routines, much less challenges (whether real or, let’s be honest, often perceived), what we make of all the situations we feel specifically upend us can become quite distracting, even if unduly so upon further reflection. However, there are then those circumstances that have a VERY real, VERY drastic impact on not only us, but all those closest to and around us. THIS reality becomes something else entirely.
On the surface, Willow Boutrous (Tricia Helfer) has it all. Career success, a dogged work ethic, love for her family, plus the wealthy lifestyle that it’s all immersed in. As her doting husband Khalil (Tarek Bishara) helps to navigate the troubled waters of their teenaged daughter Isabel (Sara Boustany) while dealing with her often overbearing mother-in-law Maryam (Susan Shalhoub Larkin), little does Willow realize how much all she cherishes and strives for is about to be tested in a manner, and to an extent, she might not be able to conquer or recover from.
Next, my Mind:
Folks, there is an undeniable, unequivocal, all-encompassing truth that we as human beings seem to have serious issues in accepting….we ALL need help sometimes. When having to acknowledge the actuality of what at first appears to be the insurmountable, our gut reaction, the ensuing panic, is to believe there’s simply no way out, that we become a burden to others, and hence all we seek is for the misery to end. It isn’t a pleasant place to dwell, and the harshness of what is unfolding SHOULD overwhelm us. Yet, when we instead choose to RISE UP, FIGHT THROUGH, BELIEVE WE CAN DO IT, and PRESS INTO those who are THERE for us, even the most dire of plights can be put down, usually never easily or painlessly, but still routed. This latter mindset and set of concepts become the foundational gist we as the viewer are engaged by and absorbed in through this powerfully intense, potently affecting, wholly necessary, ultimately inspirational indie feature film from writer/director/producer Ziad H. Hamzeh that paints an unflinching portrait of the ongoing war against one of most unrelenting maladies of our times….cancer.
Along with writer/executive producer Christine Handy (whose own life this is all based on), writer Nina Cullen-Hamzeh, producer Michael Espinosa, and executive producer Timothy Danis, the blunt force narrative follows the trials of an affluent businesswoman who suddenly has all she’s already having to deal with turn even more complicated and harrowing upon learning she has breast cancer. Quite plainly, the film is executed in such a fervently emotive way so as to have an unswerving, punch-in-the-gut, compelling, awareness-raising message that cannot be ignored or remotely dismissed as “oh, another film about this”. At MINIMUM, we should NEVER count ANY film or filmmaker out for tackling this hotbed subject matter, nor us as the viewing public treat it as not important to be reminded of. If anything, seeing an effort like this, ideally, should promote us wanting to find ANY means we can to help support the research to eradicate this blight from our existence, much less given that so many of us know people in our OWN lives who are battling it…or, more tragically, have succumbed to cancer’s insidious grip.
The brutal honesty that this film chooses to handle the situation at hand is appreciated and admirable, as there isn’t a single thing to sugar coat about this disease, nor should there be. From the shock of initial discovery, the nervous uncertainty of waiting for test results and an official diagnosis, the automatic sense of denial, anger, sorrow, and “walls closing upon me” isolation life becomes swallowed up in when getting “the news”, to the unsettling process of treatment, believing we have no hope, pushing people away at first who are trying to help, and finally learning that the only way is THROUGH it WITH the love, support, and direction OF those whose compassion is genuine and proven, the heartbreakingly persuasive aura being delivered here had this critic literally crying multiple times throughout the 98-minute runtime. The pacing is perfection, inexorably drawing you in, pinning you down, and never letting up as every fiber of your being is touched in some form as the narrative and its events get depicted.
What I then found myself equally appreciating (even in spite of the fact that, sadly, not all people’s journeys end well in these physical and mental skirmishes with cancer) is that where the story leads to is nothing short of adeptly stirring, positively charged, and hope-inducing, again even to a grander magnitude due to Handy’s own journey this is founded on. To REALLY embody the ability, by CHOICE, to realize you will NOT let something like this defeat you, but rather guide you to a place where you are then aiming to so everything you can to HELP OTHERS facing similar struggles is SO MUCH what we NEED MORE OF in this world, and it lends a triumphant air to the film’s third act, while once more not shying away from a very dynamic final image that cements the themes explored into your find with resolute strength. Beyond its core objectives, thematic forays into familial pressures and the weight of success come about amidst the illustrations of how we try to hide ourselves in difficulty, the awkwardness of others’ reactions to cancer, how we tend to see the worst, the humiliation of being pitied, plus finding self-worth and resilience again.
This film isn’t meant to be any kind of light-hearted excursion, and THAT is the deftly presented artistry that defines it, allowing it to possess the sheer degrees of intentionally formidable significance it does, impacting the viewer and eliciting (this critic hopes, anyway) the kinds of reactions it deservedly garners. This critic truly believes there was no better decision made that to cast veteran TV and film luminary Helfer in the lead role here, as the actress simply understands what it is to bring every possible emotion to the table and, with poise, soul, control, energy, and credibility, give us a noteworthy performance that demands attention. Here is no exception through her portrayal of Willow, a woman relishing in the treasures of success via her hard work and dedication, though the underlying cost to her family may be starting to become to great to ignore. Even as Willow begins to rethink certain aspects of her life, a moment of intimacy reveals what she never saw coming….breast cancer. Shaken beyond belief and not at all aware of how to even approach handling the reality of it, Willow sees herself spiraling quickly.
But, as she reluctantly must choose to face what is happening rather than avoiding what cannot BE avoided, Willow soon discovers that with the help of everyone who sincerely loves and cares for her, she CAN find the path to inner AND outer liberation…and that she is, indeed, still worthy of adoration. This is all so jarring in its deeply fluctuating emotional volatility yet definitively moving in its wrenching authenticity, and how Helfer creates this weighty, dramatically expressive, empathy-inducing ambiance is simply, irrefutably masterful. Bishara exudes a gentle kindness, astute firmness, and at times frustrated helplessness that manifests the total picture of a loving husband and father in turmoil but who’s so willing to just BE there for his beloved through his role as Khalil, Willow’s patient but long-suffering spouse who tries his very best to be the steadfast point of support, encouragement, and unconditional love for his cancer-stricken wife. Even when their road would seem to drastically diverge, Khalil’s ability to find the way to come back with his ongoing and unwavering commitment to Willow is so heartening and cheer-worthy.
It is the “everyman” quality that Bishara brings to bear that sells you on his character with utter ease, a performance believable to its very center, wonderful in its veracity, and magnificent to its core. Long and short, you are REALLY rooting for this guy! Boustany shines brightly here as well through her role as Isabel, the couple’s 15-year old daughter who’s having serious life issues of her own to face, even as her relationship with Willow is anything but good. Having a sense of being ignored by her mother, Isabel’s ways of coping turn uglier and uglier until the actuality of what is happening with her Mom becomes too apparent and real to pass by or not see. There’s a rawness to Boustany’s performance that also really hits you square in the face in its vigor. Larkin is a total gem here in her performance as Maryam, Willow’s somewhat domineering and un-approving mother-in-law whose ideas of cultural and traditional values and perspectives grate against Willow’s. But, when the cancer is forefront, it causes Maryam to perhaps reassess the pair’s relationship and the importance of family support in such a desperate time of need.
Larkin also brings a candidness and both rueful and mirthful air to the character that makes her very hard to ignore in any way, a tribute to Larkin’s acting. Primary supporting turns are made by Lisa Marcos as Grace, a main friend to Willow and needed voice of conscious and truth when it’s most required, Sayed Badreya as Malek, the family’s driver who comes in quite handy for other situations as well, Sadie Stratton as Maggie, a parent from Willow’s kid’s school who ends up in an unanticipated struggle, Natacha Ellie and Olivia Gilliatt as Alika and Gigi, two close friends of Willow’s, and Liam Anderson as Alex, Willow’s son who’s fears about his mother’s condition impacts him harder than he initially realizes. Additional key turns arrive from Awni Abdi-Bahri, Sean-Michael Wilkinson, Joe Messina, Delaney Bike, Randy Kovitz, Daphne Bloomer, and Alexandra Rey, all of whom truly have their individual instances to provide excellent performances that are all apropos to the events at hand.
So, in total, “Hello, Beautiful” NEEDS TO BE SEEN, a conclusively unapologetic, fully convincing, intelligently crafted, emphatically winning effort that addresses its primary focus with unyielding fortitude and commanding verity, showcasing that even when the odds are stacked against you, it doesn’t mean you allow them to steal who you are, who you can still be, or to become that person who ends up not only beating them back, but transforming into a conduit to help others in their own instances of need though shared experience and unadulterated devotion. Realize that, no matter what, you AND they are so worthy to be seen. Here’s to all who are fighting the rigorous fight against the monster of cancer while viewing themselves as valued, loved, and of course, beautiful. Here’s to all who selflessly and infallibly provide support to those same people….you are champions of humanity. To those we’ve lost, you forever remain in our hearts, minds, and spirits. WE MISS YOU.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
