The Closer We Get, 2015.
Directed by Karen Guthrie.
Starring Karen Guthrie, Ann Guthrie and Ian Guthrie.
SYNOPSIS:
This bittersweet film goes under the skin of an astonishing story of broken dreams, loyalty and – perhaps – redemption, told by reluctantly dutiful daughter Karen.
Steadily driving through the urban wilderness. Seemingly in control behind the trusty steering wheel of your own life and on course with your own aspirations as you escape what you consider an empty existence, only for the blinding headlights of uncertainty to drive past at a blistering rate, throwing you off-course. Leaving you stunned and bewildered at what has transpired.
Our grounded point-of-view opening of The Closer We Get; a stark visual metaphor for our softly-spoken yet stoic narrator and director Karen Guthrie. Waxing lyrical about her charmed upbringing and the modesty of simply wanting to be ‘happy, healthy and loved’, her astonishing autobiographical documentary unflinchingly captures the frayed and complicated ties of her own familial unit based in the heart of Scotland, along with dissecting the remarkable events and secrets that have burdened her significant siblings physically and emotionally throughout the years.
The unrelenting stillness of the camera. In other hands perceived to be exploitative and an invasion of privacy. In Karen’s, serving as both the ideal juxtaposition in how herself and the rest of the Guthrie family are forced to move on as they stir over the upset and ramifications of mother figure Ann’s devastating stroke, whilst for all her artistic integrity being a reliable source for catharsis and unearthing hidden truths. Her father Ian jokingly implies ‘It’s going to make a tremendous horror movie this!’. Its comparison to a cinematic genre unlikely, yet the scares that have threatened to torment this fractured family are frighteningly real.
Frank in her observations and the startling admission this wasn’t the original film she wanted to make as she bares her fragile soul to us mere strangers, it’s perhaps the exceptional endurance that is all-encompassing of Guthrie’s work here which truly accentuates the undeniable power of the remarkable revelations and the tenderness of her exchanges with her debilitated mother and distant, seemingly stubborn father.
Grown accustomed to their ‘new normal’ situation after splitting up fifteen years ago as we become aware of Ian’s ‘other family’, the decision to splice together grainy stills along with earlier footage of Ann and Ian in already troubled times is awfully telling. Only alarming ourselves as a viewer and loving family member. Facial tics and nuances of moments captured for a lifetime in photographs, where only in this type of context we would begin to second-guess and alter our stance significantly. Yet for all the pain that perhaps we contort inward to mirror our elders as a flimsy coping mechanism, these sequences pierce and reinforce perhaps how often many of us wish we were far incisive, in addressing the heartache that has lingered behind the eyes of our own loved ones.
Karen adopts this approach in deconstructing her own life goals also, along with the younger contingent of the Guthrie family through various clips. Many of them bristling with their own burning passions and sense of adventure whether it’s art or being in a rock band, the restlessness within each is palpable. Refusing to imply the inhumane and deem the looking after of their brave mother a chore, they are nonetheless burdened and overcome with the sense of failure, enhanced by Ian’s furious pursuit of finding an appropriate workplace for his other son Campbell. Is it suggested Ian has secretly admitted defeat in how his offspring have not lived up to his lofty expectations? Spending years away, is it the sense of guilt that has spurred him to fulfill an overdue sense of duty to Karen and most importantly Ann?
To borrow words from a teary conversation between this particular mother and daughter. In turn humorous and infuriating. For all the difficulty and heartache, you’ll be glad to see the minutes pass as you watch The Closer We Get, as it reminds us just how precious time with those we love can be. Tremendous.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Darryl Griffiths
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https://youtu.be/b7Ozs5mj5ao?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published August 30, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
