WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
An appetency for emancipation. While we understand as people that being a part of other’s lives is a consistent and, usually, longed for aspect to the journey of existence, we still find eventually that having a place, whether physically or inwardly, to abscond to for solace and autonomy can be just as necessary and sought after. But, in the wake of loss, when feelings run high and the rest of our life seems overwhelming, having to face someone else’s longing for a certain separation can be a burden, especially when it comes to family. Confronting this reality is a woman named Susan (Carrie Dodds) who, while reeling from grief and other pressures she has, must now also handle her steadfastly adamant sister Helen (Linzi Finnigan) who wants her own place to reside. Unsure about the chances it would work out due to factors both practical and societal, can Susan find the means to see her sister’s needs made real…while perhaps unexpectedly recognizing, and accepting, her own?
Next, my Mind:
Socially relevant, impactfully dramatic, enchantingly charming, and ultimately compelling in its foundational message about the struggles against embedded bureaucracy-fed stigmas vs. the potent forces that are the human heart, compassion, better understanding, and need for release on multiple levels, this beautifully executed Scottish-made indie short film from director/editor Sarah Grant, writer Chris Watt, and writer/producer Carrie Dodds hits home with the power of a thunderstorm, but does so with such well-crafted deftness of writing and direction so as not to be overtly melodramatic while remaining deeply and credibly emotional in all the right ways. Honestly, as this critic cannot seem to find any other way to say, it is a glorious example of the human condition and the absolute exigency of awareness-raising films the highlight important issues which NEED to be addressed in this world and, often, taken FAR more seriously.
Managing to launch the viewer into a quietly simmering but soon boiling over magnitude of tense volatility, which still gets plausibly tempered with instances of lighter atmosphere and even endearing whimsey, the narrative that follows two sisters and their shared exploration of not just present pain and frustration, healing, and letting go, but the beauty (and trials!) of familial bonds and the uphill battle against discrimination, bigotry, and murky government protocols moves forward with total intentionality and stirring purpose, never letting you forget the cornerstone theme it is conveying. Yet, in the midst of stating this so emphatically, make no mistake (as I ALSO cannot help but share again) that it isn’t some “preachy” diatribe presented here, but a truly heartfelt plea for what COULD be transformed as far as the perspective when it comes to ascertaining the total TRUTHS this type of scenario offers and how it effects the impaired but INTELLIGENT community showcased.
I have always felt projects like this are the consistent reminders to us as PEOPLE to have a willingness to take a step back from our own ambitions and busyness to fully ponder ways in which we can utilize our energies to HELP OTHERS, even IN our OWN families as depicted here, and do so realizing it may not at ALL be the “sacrifice” we think it will be TO our own pursuits, but rather end up being a catalyst to witness the alteration in mindset that will MUTUALLY benefit both us AND those we are wishing to see succeed in happiness and closer-knit, or possible MENDED, relationships. This is a very strong underlying thematic foray I thought was displayed magnificently, in particular during the finale we’re delivered that is simply heartwarming, affirming, and accessibly relatable. The MINOR touch of romantic air that’s also thrown in amidst the grander story was actually quite brilliant and well-played in the fashion it was employed. Just plain excellent.
Dodds puts down the figurative pen and place behind the production to step out in front of the camera and take on the lead role of Susan, a woman having to encounter the strain of losing someone beloved but then initially having to maintain a firm front in attempting to handle the responsibility for her own pressures on top of doing her best to care for her live-in sister whom now wants to be out on her own in spite of any real or perceived handicaps. Resisting to the point of breaking, Susan’s efforts to be what she sees as the voice of reason rather than opposition puts a barrier between them that must find a way to be overcome if their evidently close connection and kinship is to carry forward in any healthy manner, much less allowing the circumstances to reveal facets of her own life that have been forsaken. It’s a fully emotive, persuasive, and utterly realistic performance Dodds provides for the character, engaging and energetic from beginning to end, and in a way that invests you in the dilemmas Susan faces.
Then there is Finnigan who, with such totally captivating energy and empathy-inducing charm, captures your attention via her role as Helen, Susan’s dearly cherished sister who’s decided the time has arrived to leave the “confines” of her shared home and gain a place of her own in spite of both her health and learning-impaired status that sees her in both a day service and under coverage of benefits. Even as Helen now finds herself in the crosshairs of Susan’s hesitations and a society’s judgements, she never, ever folds under the scrutiny, grasping onto her own sound mind and overall aspirations with a tenacity that clearly overshadows, even flat-out defies, any sense of physical or mental disadvantage, and it soon becomes the driving purview behind the dogged pursuit of freedom she longs for. Finnigan is just an irresistible gem here, infusing Helen’s character with an undeniable positivity and unfeigned innocence while not having it come at the cost of making her look like some helpless pawn. The moment of what is really re-connection between Susan and Helen is tear-inducing and so tangibly acute, a testament to Finnigan’s performance throughout.
Primary supporting roles arrive first through Leah Balmforth as Michelle, Helen’s current home caregiver and one whom we immediately see is a harbinger of change and real encouragement for her client’s needs and well-being, an ardent proponent of what she sees Helen would be capable of, much to Susan’s concerns at first when being in the middle of her own difficulties. Atta Yaqub is John, Helen’s social worker who likewise believes he has found the solution for Helen’s new residence but gets a reality check from Susan once she makes it clear how it all appears to her. We know his heart is in the right place, and John works all the harder to prove this as the story progresses. Key supporting appearances are made by Jamie Morrison as Ian, a well-liked worker at Helen’s day service, James Gordon as quite the hapless Estate agent who finds he’s up against a trio of people unwilling to yield without getting what they are after, and John McQuiston, voice only here, as Susan’s boss Andrew who isn’t completely on the same page with her when it comes to a return to work.
Additional appearances throughout the film are provided by Joanne Randle, Elle O’Hara, Paul Atkinson, Christina Bolland, Martin Malloy, Liam McCafferty, Danni McWilliams, Robert Nisbet, Rebecca O’Neal, Gavin Reid, Adam Walker, Sylas Szabolcs, Linda Aitken, Jason Methven, Robert Blair, Steve Faleu, Ross Ann Forte, Rosemary Heenan, William McNee, Toni McQueen, and Abbie Phillips. So, in total, “The Pursuit of Independence” is a study in the need for social metamorphosis and essential enlightenment wrapped in a keenly exceptional, splendidly expressive shell that’s both intense and tender, substantial in its objectives while being wholly entertaining and believable. May it provoke us to contemplate its cause, take action where possible, and hope for a world to be made better from it.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
My adult son has learning disabilities. The Pursuit of Independence is so true and powerful. It is true to life circumstances in many families. I would like to thank you for producing this and hope people watching this realise how important this is. Well done to Linzi and the other actors for the making of this. Thank you.