Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0
Starsììì
My Happy Family—a
film release from the Eurasian country, Georgia—examines complications of
morality and ethics within a family whose Mother, without apparent reason,
decides to abandon all her familial connections. The story is interesting, but
it is complicated due to the mother’s (who is also a daughter and wife) seemingly
irrational decision. This movie does provide a strong sense of realism, but
makes one wonder where humane support for aging parents will come from, where love
and compassion and empathy will be taught by example to younger members of the
family, and how the persons she has abandoned will navigate without her support
and good example of executing life decisions that are sustainable. The film
does not deserve a monetary expenditure; but, as available on Netflix, it does
provoke questions about the role a woman needs to fill in society and provides
provocative discussion about where women may want to redefine and even redirect
current trends in societal behavior toward more positive outcomes. The acting
is very good and exceptionally realistic.
Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia
Storyline
At
50 years of age, Manana decides to abandon her entire family.
Additional Thanks
Thank
You to Director Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß for directing
efforts. Thank you to Producers Tsiako Abesadze, Jonas Katzenstein, and Maximilian
Leo for making the film possible for making the film possible. Additional
characters/cast include: Manana (Ia Shugliashvili), Soso (Merab Ninidze),
Lamara (Berta Khapava), Nino (Tsisia Qumsishvili), Vakho (Giorgi Khurtsilava),
Otar (Goven Cheishvili), Rezo (Dimitri Oragvelidze), Kitsi (Mariam Bokeria), and
Tatia Chigogidze (Lika Babluani).
Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?
Maybe.
While the film possibly justifies (toward the middle of its story), the main
character’s decision to abandon her husband on the grounds of infidelity, her
initial decision to leave her family seems ridiculously grounded, superficial,
and entirely lacking in humane action, heart, and loyalty—all necessary qualities
for survival of a species. This superficiality removes any gains for the
character’s decision throughout the film as she descends into complete irresponsibility
toward those most involved in her life. This movie may be a good study for
collegiate level students, but as a family watch it fails. One cannot help asking
what are the gains, the losses, and final conclusions for this decision. And,
one wonders if she cannot maintain friendship with her family, how solid are
her relationships with her friends and colleagues? It seems she has set herself
up for an exceptionally lonely ending to life. Friendship, after all, begins at
home and radiates from there. The film leaves one with an empty feeling that her
final resolution is the purposelessness of life. After that conclusion is
reached, what do humans have left?
Video Critique Available Here:
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