There are only three people, whose work, I would do whatever was necessary to see immediately. Terry McMahon tops that list. Having thoroughly enjoyed the dark complexity of his first film, Charlie Casanova and finding early reviews of Patrick's Day, intriguing, I made certain to view it in theater and procure the DVD. My opinion of this film intensifies with each viewing. Besides wanting to partake in the latest McMahon film creation, I was captivated by the synopsis of this film specifically, as it promised an engaging plot, multi- faceted characters, and an experiential journey in love as it traverses various psychological mine fields, in ways that we are not usually privy to. Each of the characters in Patrick's Day goes through a major metamorphosis, each caused by love. Each of them ignites our compassion, our rage, and at least for me, also my empathy. Love is neither good nor evil, a power greater than any other due to its visceral integration in every system of the human being – mind, heart, body, and soul and to that end can be savior or destroyer, a tool for the wielding of our choice, for ourselves and others. While Karen Prescott (Catherine Walker) a suicidal flight attendant is elevated out of the darkest space she has ever been in, by Patrick's innocently sincere, passionate, and unrelenting love for her, another woman in his life takes the purest of love and becomes a monstrous manipulator. Maura, brilliantly portrayed by Kerry Fox, has a vise like grip on her son, Patrick's life. Or rather she did until he fell in love with Karen. Invigorated and emboldened by the power of love surging through him, motivating him, and inspiring him, Patrick bucks authority, hides truths and actions, to preserve his romance and hopes for the future. Even Maura's outrageous and extreme efforts to convince him that Karen was a mere figment of his imagination and fantasies, do nothing to eradicate Patrick's feelings. Aside from a few tangible trinkets, it is truly Patrick's emotions, the experience of his heart, which keeps him on course with his memories while at odds with all the authority in his life. Maura's concern over how intense emotions of both love and passion, will affect the tenuous stability that her son maintains through medication, a controlled living environment, and daily routines, is well founded. What she does with that concern, how far she goes, how hard she pushes him, is simply horrifying. It is evident that she knows she cannot diminish the value or impact of romantic love on her son's psyche or heart, so instead she goes to desperate lengths to convince him, the love, the target of his affection never even existed. The psychological torture that she inflicts on her son is well within villainous scope. Is she a bad mother? Has she gone mad herself from fear for her son? Is she afraid for him, or of losing a part of herself if she loses him to another woman of influence in his life? Moe Dunford as Patrick Fitzgerald. How does one describe or praise a performance so realistically embodied – lived – that it is beyond a stellar portrayal? As you watch Patrick love and suffer, doubt and be certain, recede and assert, you just want to rescue him and somehow allow him to be free to love, to be himself. But who determines who he is since he is mentally impaired? Who makes the judgment calls on what is real/safe/possible for him as a young man with mental health issues? He argues and fights his mother, knowing his experience, but then allowing his trust in her to create self doubt. The lengths this drives him to, are – to most minds I believe – an unforgivable result of his mother's manipulations and lies. Dunford brings Patrick to life with powerful gentility, innocent reticence, passionate drive, raw honesty, and a heart so pure that it absorbs both the beautiful and the hedonistic equally and openly to his core. This poignantly humble and yet emotionally impactful indie film covers and uncovers some of the deepest concepts in life. Every scene held layers of subtleties that impacted as strongly as the direct actions and dialogue. There is nothing superfluous or gratuitous in this film. Nothing for shock value, even if shocking. No special effects to create drama, just true quality characters and plot that effectively stir dramatic emotional reaction. Every word, prop, scene, staging, and note or lyric of music in Patrick's Day is essential and an intricate detail in the landscape it paints for us of love, in its various forms, stages, and champions. Patrick's Day is a true gem, has deep resonating value, and that, to me, was clear in how it was presented from its trailers, synopses, etc, with dignity, accuracy, and integrity. Substance matters and Patrick's Day is indeed a substantial work of epic cinematic excellence. This film was crafted in such a way, so as to inflame emotions on every side, from every angle of a situation. This level of emotional multi- tasking makes most people uncomfortable. Patrick's Day goads us into facing the complexity of life, of emotion, and certainly of love specifically. Terry McMahon has done it again. This man's work cranks open the mind and lets in light that makes us truly examine our inner shadows: the motivations, agendas, foibles, weaknesses, and strengths. We are mesmerized by the characters Terry creates, so much so that we cannot look away, there is no averting the eyes, nor ego, as we come to realize, each time, we are looking at a part of ourselves. Having universal appeal due to its sheer humanity, this film MUST tour the globe; More must experience it, in theaters, and repeatedly via DVD.
Review of Patrick's Day
