"Look At Us Now, Mother!" (2015 release; 86 min.) is a documentary by Gayle Kirschenbaum, examining her relationship with her mom. As the movie opens, we are informed that "This is a film about forgiveness" and we soon learn why. We are introduced to the various family members (Gayle, her mom and dad, and her two older brothers), and after a quick look at what mom is doing these days in Boca Raton, we then go back in time to look at the family's origins. To tell you more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.
Couple of comments: this is the latest non-fiction work from writer-director Gayle Kirschenbaum, best known for her acclaimed film "A Dog's Life: A Dogamentary". Here we are invited into Gayle's family, and in particular as to why her mom withholds her love, affection and approval from Gayle from a young age on, and always speaks her mind (mom to Gayle: "your nose is too big"). Or as a friend remarks: "What's on her long is on her tongue". It makes for difficult watching at time, to be honest. I was abhorred at how Gayle was treated. But does this paint the entire picture? That is where the movie gets interesting and revealing. Beware: a majority of the movie is shot on hand-held devices, and at times the shaking of camera is just too much.
I recently saw this at the 2016 Jewish Israeli Film Festival here in Cincinnati, and the packed theater laughed, and cringed, at all the right times. Definitely worth checking out if you are interested in a family's complicated history and behavior.
Couple of comments: this is the latest non-fiction work from writer-director Gayle Kirschenbaum, best known for her acclaimed film "A Dog's Life: A Dogamentary". Here we are invited into Gayle's family, and in particular as to why her mom withholds her love, affection and approval from Gayle from a young age on, and always speaks her mind (mom to Gayle: "your nose is too big"). Or as a friend remarks: "What's on her long is on her tongue". It makes for difficult watching at time, to be honest. I was abhorred at how Gayle was treated. But does this paint the entire picture? That is where the movie gets interesting and revealing. Beware: a majority of the movie is shot on hand-held devices, and at times the shaking of camera is just too much.
I recently saw this at the 2016 Jewish Israeli Film Festival here in Cincinnati, and the packed theater laughed, and cringed, at all the right times. Definitely worth checking out if you are interested in a family's complicated history and behavior.
