NO TRAILER CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
First, the Recap:
We want to help when we’re able. To be available, accessible, and adept at allowing someone else who’s struggling to have aid, and even acceptance, when their needs are above the norm. It is pleasant to believe we would CHOOSE to be such a person to anyone, much less to our own parent. But, the undertaking of truly caring for someone who is battling mental illness of any sort, the well-meaning intent of our decision can at times become far more challenging and potentially disruptive to our OWN lives in the process. So, we will stand strong and keep moving forward or allow the burden to overwhelm us instead? For young 20-something named Mia (Olivia Scott Welch), the actuality of this is more than clear as she has chosen to take in her ailing mother, Bird (Suzanne Cryer). Already challenged with financial difficulties, will the tending to Bird’s additional requirements cause a deepening rift and uncertain future, or steps towards a more poignant bond?
Next, my Mind:
The intermixing of abrasive then endearing attitudes, frustrations with life’s overall circumstances and questionable choices, the fight to regain even a modicum of true control, scams, and the subsequent realization that, sometimes, letting go might actually be the best course of action all comes to effectively executed and dramatic life through this 20-minute indie short film from director Lili Peper, writer Shahira Kudsi, producers Lily Darragh Harty and Reef Oldberg along with executive producers Sara Eklund and Maria Prieto that emerges as another filmmaking project willing to adeptly address the realities of mental illness, its impact, and those who confront it or care for those afflicted with it. This critic doesn’t know how to state it any differently, which is the necessity to mention that any cinematic effort choosing to tackle the subject is an automatic winner in my book, since we should continue to not only acknowledge the ever-building importance to recognize this issue consistently, but to also NEVER feel “tired of hearing about” it OR the education and means to conquer it, as it is just plain imperative for this world currently.
With what really boils down to an (intentionally, I felt) understated but still wholly engaging and emotionally-charged narrative that sees a young woman’s ongoing plight to battle not only her own immediate trials but also care for her mentally ill mother whose presence can be either entirely amicable or otherwise completely vexatious, the medium of short film works to very well here to expediently yet significantly illustrate the actualities of attempting to care for someone who’s in a state of mental confusion and/or ailment, hence the associated pressures placed on someone to attend to the ebbs and flows of it day in and day out, while also maintaining any sense of individuality or method of handling their own personal obstacles on top of it all. How this gets portrayed is realistic and grounded, an uncomplicated portrait of joys and agitations in this situation, much less when the person BEING cared for is one’s parent. This aspect makes the film’s core theme even more powerful, as it’s all founded on the often deeply strong bonds between mother and child, but with a twist that causes said bond to become fractured or, at minimum, stretched to its limits.
In addition to this central focus on mental health awareness that comprises the film’s foundational gist, elements about the travails of financial struggle, the places we go within ourselves to try and escape the uncomfortable or tedious circumstances we’re needing to stand up to, the legitimate threat of social media-driven scams and how these individuals target certain demographics, felony theft of–garden gnomes (??!!), the blame we often hold over others (whether justified or not) for what comes down TO our OWN issues, the acceptance of having to NOT be in total domination over things at ALL times (or at ALL), and the basic beauty of grasping just how much someone else truly loves us all get explored thematically as the story unfolds, and it only makes the film’s finale one that is so appropriately heartening and evocative in its intent, filled with moments that speak pointedly but gracefully about the character dynamic we’ve seen. Again, with the still-present stigmas placed on mental health conditions, this critic loves seeing it portrayed in a manner that is candidly real, but totally accessible to everyone, hopefully eliciting understanding.
Welch embodies the very soul of unsettled, angsty youthful energy combined with a depth of genuine heart and soul that befits her title role here as Mia, a 20-something already under the strain of financial hardship now paired with having voluntarily taken in her usually congenial mother who’s fighting a mental illness that can turn her into an annoyance as well. Trying her level best to maintain any semblance of balance between the two of them while navigating life’s ongoing issues, Mia soon gets forced to confront her beloved parent’s state of being in a deeper way while also correcting the mistakes caused by her mother’s oft distant/distracted mind. Yet, in spite of everything, will it only turn into further catalysts that bring about a widening rift between them, or could it end up revealing the magnitude of sincere adoration and a newfound sense of hope instead? Watching as these answers get determined, Welch guides Mia’s character through it all with wonderful poise and urgency of purpose, strongly depicting the constantly fluctuating emotional storms involved with total credibility.
Cryer brings a fully spirited but also persuasively subdued air to her performance here as Bird, Mia’s doting but also flighty mother who has since moved in with her daughter having needed the consistent care due to the mental illness she has. So often a total charmer, quiet, through at times innocently and “politely” forceful when she wants something, Bird consciously tries to keep herself together and NOT be a bother to Mia. But, unavoidably, once her mindset goes into the scattered state she is afflicted by, it becomes an exercise in forgetfulness, almost daydream-ish, and completely askew from current reality, which comes at a price in actions she might do while under that particular behavioral standing. Yet, even as it is revealed that several recent choices have NOT been in her best interest, much less the troubles it then brings to Mia, the softening in attitude, unconditional support, and absolute love she holds for Mia comes out, and it is an exquisitely stirring performance Cryer emerges with to showcase this volatile yet undeniably optimistic and rewarding connection between a mother and daughter that is ultimately inspired and believable.
Supporting turns arrive here first from Riley Smith as Leonard, the son of Mia’s landlady who does his best to watch out for her when things aren’t quite going smoothly with life–and the past due rent–much less when Mia’s mother gets exposed for a certain act committed. Joseph Schwartz plays Rex, an apparently unscrupulous man who draws Bird into a scam via Facebook and causes Mia to have to try and hunt him down. Alice Faber is Eleanor, Mia’s landlady who we get the impression has actually had it “up to here” with this specific tenant but who somehow gets convinced to keep giving Mia chances to improve her situation. Additional supporting turns come from Julie Gambina, Maurice Griffin, Sandy Guillen, Landon Ross, and Elizabeth Bauer, with voice-only credits to Rima Haddad and Liv Surnow.
So, in total, “Mia, Indeterminate” is a proficiently written and directed indie short film undertaking that succinctly but throughly traverses the themes of mental health, parenting, life’s trials, our search for ways out of stormy seas, and the encompassing, enduring love of family in a relatable, engrossing, and lucid fashion. It’s that style of perceptive and enlightening narrative that one ideally hopes will become another beneficial stimulant for further strides in mental health research and the means to see it vanquished or at least better treated.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
