June 9th, Movie 10

This is probably not the film you want to watch every Thanksgiving.

Based on his one-act play, The Humans was written and directed by Stephen Karam. The film told the story of the Blake family during Thanksgiving at Brigid (Beanie Feldstein)Blake’s new apartment with her boyfriend Robert (Steven Yeun). Her parents Erik (Richard Jennings) and Deirdre (Jayne Houdyshell) were in attendance along with her sister Aimee (Amy Schumer) and her grandmother Momo (June Squibb). Momo was slipping further into senility, Aimee had lost her job, Richard was struggling to get by and Erik and Deirdre were very judgmental over the new apartment.

The film mostly took place within the confines of the small apartment and depended heavily on the acting chops of the strong cast.

There was something bizarre going on inside the apartment as well as Erik was being haunted by visions of a faceless woman. Erik was a witness of the 9-11 tragedies as he had intended on being on the observation deck of the Twin Towers as he awaited for Aimee to complete a job interview. However, the decks were not yet open and so he was in a donut shop across the street.

The dialogue carried the film and the elements of horror were kept in the background as questions of something in the walls were hinted at by the film.

At first, it was a little difficult to follow the movie, because there was not that much happening, but I enjoy many of the actors involved so I kept watching and, as I got to know these characters more, I began to become invested in their interactions and their family dynamic.

I love June Squibb. I think she improves any project that she is involved in and she gives a heart-breaking performance here as Momo and her decline into darkness inside her own mind.

The ending 20 minutes or so was compelling as could be and I was glad that I continued to watch the movie after the beginning.

However, there is a definite downer tone to the film and I would not necessarily want to watch it again. I am glad I watched it once, for some great performances.