Mass - A Movie Review

We all have our own methods of healing. Grief is its own language.

Mass is a 2021 film. Two couples meet to talk about a difficult subject. A violent tragedy has affected both couples differently. Sharing harsh words and opinions, this meeting is a more rewarding experience than expected.

Mass is a film that takes a weight off your shoulders when you don’t realize it’s there. Portraying a serious topic in this emotional story, Mass evokes a thought-provoking lesson on the definition of forgiveness.

The actors in Mass are strongly committed to their roles. Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaacs, Ann Dowd, and Reed Birney bore emotionally impactful performances. The quartet did an excellent job studying their interactions. Each had a contrasting definition of regret, anger, and sadness.

I was astonished by each actor. These four actors have been seen on-screen in various roles but never something as deep as this. For example, Isaacs, who is well known for playing Draco Malfoy’s father in Harry Potter, was so authentic in one scene. Mass tested them all to go to a level that’s never been seen.

Dowd and Birney had tough characters to connect to. Dowd was wonderful in her emotional delivery. She has to say difficult things that I am sure were tough to say. Only Dowd has received a nomination for her performance. All four of these actors deserve to be nominated.

The actor who I believe deserves a nomination is Plimpton. In this powerful tear-jerking emotionally-driven monologue, she manifests this excellent realization that really struck me. I also liked the way she rooted her character while listening to everyone’s explanation.

The setting for Mass is crucial. Taking place in one room, around a table, the tension is evident. For most of this film, we watch these characters talk to each other. For a long time, they’re sitting until they get up to stretch their legs. It’s not a claustrophobic setting but you feel confined like you’ve been the one sitting in these chairs.

Mass has a tough topic of discussion. The subject matter may be triggering to some who have experienced events talked about in the film. Said events are never seen in flashbacks and only mentioned in graphic details.

Subtly is mastered. This film does an excellent job with it right from the start. With only 14 days to film, every camera angle seen on-screen was administered with high regard. The camera focuses on significant objects and character reactions. Exterior shots were also great. The camera captured so much symbolism in just one shot.

If you don’t recognize director Fran Kranz, he is notable for his part as the stoner, Marty in The Cabin in the Woods. In Kranz’s debut direction, he conquered the atmosphere, character direction, and provoking cinematography. It feels real. He deserves to be nominated!

This film is a great example of dialogue. Keep audiences in the shadows. Don’t reveal too quickly. From the anxious way characters act, it’s better to see what happens instead of being told.

Mass is not an easy film to sit through. This film will make you feel a lot of emotions, some that you don’t understand. It’s not a happy movie, but it’s evocative. Grief is a difficult topic to express. Words and stories that you don’t want to listen to are expressed. In the end, you feel closure.

This film deserves more attention. If you want to watch Mass, I highly suggest that you don’t look up any information before your watch. View with an open mind and have tissues on hand. It is heavily emotional.