Men's Group opens with a lingering zoom shot of the group's meeting place, a private home, seen from a distant parked car. The camera is hand-held, the scene grimy and wobbly. Poor technique? On the contrary, it brilliantly conveys the indecision of one of the group's would-be participants as he musters the courage to get out of his safety zone and cross the street.
Towards the end of the film another participant, Moses, breaks down and howls out the truth that has been tormenting him. Two things ramp up the power of this scene to an almost unbearable intensity. First: such is the pain in Moses' voice that we can't make out a word he is saying; all we can hear is gut-wrenching, undiluted pain. Second: while this is happening the camera is not on Moses but in extreme close-up on Cecil, an older man whose own face is taut with pain and fear. It is masterful filmmaking.
The film has weaknesses. It feels staged in places and at times the acting, for all its power, somehow lacks authenticity. But these are quibbles. One does not watch a film like this for light entertainment. It is a journey into the hearts of seven men: into loneliness, grief, despair, fear and ultimately love. It is a tribute to the director and actors that they have explored this territory so courageously, in the process creating a work that radiates compassion and honesty. If you are a man, or have men in your life, see it.
Towards the end of the film another participant, Moses, breaks down and howls out the truth that has been tormenting him. Two things ramp up the power of this scene to an almost unbearable intensity. First: such is the pain in Moses' voice that we can't make out a word he is saying; all we can hear is gut-wrenching, undiluted pain. Second: while this is happening the camera is not on Moses but in extreme close-up on Cecil, an older man whose own face is taut with pain and fear. It is masterful filmmaking.
The film has weaknesses. It feels staged in places and at times the acting, for all its power, somehow lacks authenticity. But these are quibbles. One does not watch a film like this for light entertainment. It is a journey into the hearts of seven men: into loneliness, grief, despair, fear and ultimately love. It is a tribute to the director and actors that they have explored this territory so courageously, in the process creating a work that radiates compassion and honesty. If you are a man, or have men in your life, see it.