big bad wholesome heartbreaker right there. a tender reflection on grief and which kind of void and loneliness is left by the passing of a close one, seen from two relatable perspectives. sounds kitschy & cliche-fueled but O'Sullivan & Thompson translate a good idea on screen that can easily go south in the wrong hands, but becomes a glory experience when handled right. so many good decisions made here - pointing out some of the smartest: the intercutting of the grief group and how a dog is put to sleep sent a decent sized lump into my throat. how the protagonist's mum is transitioning from bad mother to lost but empathetic soul just en passant is huge. tremendous use of Cyndi Lauper's Time after Time AND Achy-Breaky Heart, speaking of crying while yours truly mid-90s "up the ass ain't intercourse" evangelical blondies dance a well-meant, mid-performed ballet. the highest point of empathy with the audience is reached when the film slowly fades out, like it's anticipating that you are bone dry meanwhile and can't bear another wave of sadness. and Mouse is very, very sad, tremendously sad. it's so dark that even his successful and careful going for comedic elements can't mask his vast dolorousness. first massive win for the Berlinale to snatch that one away from Sundance, even if they only offered their side section. here's one pleading to give this one a decent Oscar campaign 2027. one can still dream. Postscriptum growing up around the exact same time in a very different part of the world, this one gave me a sweet amount of nostalgia along the way. fuck/marry/kill: britney/christina/jessica anyone?!
