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House Finch (2018)
Moving and thoughtful
Joseph Johnson offers a small but meaningful insight into the ebbs and flows of a mother's relationship with her son who has special needs. The audience becomes particularly immersed in the character of the mother, as we follow her through the highs and lows of a complex combination of parenting and caring. Adjoa Andoh gives a powerful performance that is both nuanced and confident. As a viewer, you feel that her character would often rather keep her emotions private, but we do see that her relationships with different people tease these emotions out of her in different ways, adding conflict to her character as well as vulnerable determination.
Meanwhile, Edward Bluemel plays the innocent and playful son with learning difficulties. It's clear to see that's he's practiced and studied hard to nail down the distinct movement and speech impediments that often come with certain types of autism. However, these are handled in an honest yet sensitive way, and it's hard not to recognise people you know in him. It's always clear in the back of your mind that you are watching skilled artists do what they love and do best.
Overall, this is a very well put together and thought through piece of work, and do reflect a life of a creator that is not pretentious or self-indulgent, but humbly passionate, insightful, and wise. A pleasure to watch for sure, and a real piece of art.