SXSW FILM FESTIVAL 2023 REVIEW! Psychological Well being and its associated ailments and situations are a wealthy seam to mine for movie. In writer-director Dillon Tucker’s Pure O, we encounter pure obsessive-compulsive dysfunction. With the “pure” model of obsessive-compulsive dysfunction, you see not one of the ritualistic behaviors, and the affected person suffers all the nervousness. Thus we discover our protagonist Cooper (Daniel Dorr) in his automotive working by way of his nervousness nightmare that he’ll kill his fiancee Emily (Hope Lauren) with a butcher’s knife.
The damning factor about such nervousness is it most likely received’t present itself till a deeply inopportune second. So Cooper, realizing the hurt that could possibly be completed if it’s not addressed, seeks assist. Initially, he and Emily consider that is despair. Nonetheless, therapist Penelope (Theresa Hayes) immediately identifies it as obsessive-compulsive dysfunction. So he’s referred to Nora (Candice Renee), who runs a gaggle remedy for individuals with pure obsessive-compulsive dysfunction.
Have been it simply the group remedy classes, Pure O would have been intriguing. By mixing these classes with sequences on the rehab clinic Cooper works for, and the intimate house of Emily and Cooper’s relationship, now we have a deep dive into the lifetime of a person decided to work by way of his subject. Cooper is a poster little one for remedy. As we watch him put within the time and the hours, which is contrasted by the addicts he’s counseling.
“…runs a gaggle remedy for individuals with pure obsessive-compulsive dysfunction.”
One addict specifically, Brandon (successfully portrayed by Jeffrey A. Baker), is a extremely arduous case. He’s been out and in of remedy for a very long time, giving in to the bottle each time life will get arduous. He additionally may be very standoffish and doesn’t need to take part within the remedy he views as ineffective. For Brandon, the clinic is his protected house the place he can cover from the surface world.
To complicate issues additional, Emily’s father, Steve (Timothy Landfield), has developed stage 4 most cancers and might inform the top is nigh. Watching Cooper work together with Steve in such a delicate and caring means is fantastic. A terrific balm to the spirit is to understand regardless of how dangerous your scenario feels, somebody on the market has it worse and desires your help.
Pure O possesses a really robust performing ensemble. Everybody on show is giving it their all. You watch as Dorr portrays Cooper’s misgivings, setbacks, and progress with a delicate and easy method. Everybody else appears to work with the copious power the lead actor offers. Dorr is a pure main man, and I sit up for seeing him in additional talking roles.
Tucker wrote, directed, and edited a effective movie in Pure O. It’s superbly shot and options some actually nice California set places. The movie possesses a heat, understanding vibe to it. I discovered the movie to be a candy expertise and a marked change of tempo from customary cinematic fare lately. Actually, it’s impartial movie the place you discover the titles value championing. Search this out in case you want a movie that can function a heat hug.
Pure O screened on the 2023 SXSW Movie Pageant.
