To Dust, 2018.
Directed by Shawn Snyder.
Starring Geza Rohrig and Matthew Broderick.
SYNOPSIS:
Grief stricken by the recent loss of his wife hasidic candor Shmuel (Geza Rohrig) is experiencing night terrors and concerns about how her rate of decomposition. Unable to find solace amongst the Jewish community and feeling pressured to move on, Shmuel finds a hapless ally in Albert (Matthew Broderick) a community college biology professor.
Produced in part by Emily Mortimer and Ron Perlman this little indie film written and directed by Shawn Snyder asks some challenging questions. Grief in any religion is never handled well because unlike certain other things in life, death and bereavement come with no handbook or how to card. When you get into the theological elements of life after death, heaven or hell and where people go thereafter things get woolier still. However in the hands of Snyder we get a uniquely singular approach which may not provide many answers, but opens up those questions wider than most filmmakers dare.
By using stark imagery alongside pitch black circumstantial humour theological questions are voiced and religious subtexts explored in a measured and restrained manner. Both Rohrig and Broderick have an understated chemistry which makes this odd couple pairing work despite the exaggerated circumstances. Everything from soil acidity and its affects on decomposition through to implied cross dressing as a means of coping with loss are addressed, while Broderick squeezes laughs out of some truly dark moments.
Beyond the obsession over decay and an examination of religion versus science To Dust can at times be almost ponderous in its naval gazing, while some deeper questions might bypass audience members. Comedic asides which comprise of discussions around picking out a suitable casket, or the emotional attachment Albert feels towards one of their slaughtered pigs gives you a measure of this movie. Abstract notions of death converge sometimes awkwardly with religious doctrine, cultural tradition and the modern world. Important in laying bare the narrow minded nature of any belief system irrespective of scripture, To Dust carries a message of tolerance, understanding and enlightenment hidden amongst those pregnant pauses.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★
Martin Carr
