Palindromes - Madam, I'm Adam
September 21st 2006 04:40
This film is a difficult one to review without giving away some of the surprises that the viewer should really be given the opportunity to discover for themselves. What I can tell you is that it follows the story of a 13-year-old girl, Aviva, desperate for a baby. The palindrome is Aviva’s name, which stays the same even when read back-to-front. But this movie is about more than names and how we label and classify things.
It involves interesting character devices that at first are confusing but that then work beautifully in the context of the story, Christian fundamentalists, paedophiles, overbearing parents and enough seedy ethical dilemmas to make Paris Hilton look like a nun.
I knew very little about this film when I saw it, which I think was for the best. It is an often sad, bittersweet tale of self-discovery and the search for meaning and acceptance in life. But is also equipped with bursts of humour, nay, hilarity even, and this adds to the authenticity of the story.
Sharon Wilkins’s sweet, gentle performance is one of the best and is probably what really drew me in to the life and struggles of Aviva in the end.
This film raises hairy issues that people don’t like to talk about and examines the way in which we twist the rules and morals of life to suit ourselves – to make everything okay. It brings to the forefront, the lies we tell others to survive and the lies we tell ourselves to get by. It delivers a strong message about hope and despair and the contradictions of life but through good writing, acting and film-making; you wouldn’t know you’d just had a lesson in how to be a better person. That is something very difficult to achieve on film and Solondz has done a stellar job.
This film isn’t easy to watch and has more of a creeping confrontation that oozes rather than hits you over the head and it did make me squeamish at times. But that’s often what I love about independent film. Palindromes is challenging, real, funny and delightful. It will get you thinking.
Written and directed by Todd Solondz, this quirky little gem runs for 100 minutes.
It involves interesting character devices that at first are confusing but that then work beautifully in the context of the story, Christian fundamentalists, paedophiles, overbearing parents and enough seedy ethical dilemmas to make Paris Hilton look like a nun.
I knew very little about this film when I saw it, which I think was for the best. It is an often sad, bittersweet tale of self-discovery and the search for meaning and acceptance in life. But is also equipped with bursts of humour, nay, hilarity even, and this adds to the authenticity of the story.
Sharon Wilkins’s sweet, gentle performance is one of the best and is probably what really drew me in to the life and struggles of Aviva in the end.
This film raises hairy issues that people don’t like to talk about and examines the way in which we twist the rules and morals of life to suit ourselves – to make everything okay. It brings to the forefront, the lies we tell others to survive and the lies we tell ourselves to get by. It delivers a strong message about hope and despair and the contradictions of life but through good writing, acting and film-making; you wouldn’t know you’d just had a lesson in how to be a better person. That is something very difficult to achieve on film and Solondz has done a stellar job.
This film isn’t easy to watch and has more of a creeping confrontation that oozes rather than hits you over the head and it did make me squeamish at times. But that’s often what I love about independent film. Palindromes is challenging, real, funny and delightful. It will get you thinking.
Written and directed by Todd Solondz, this quirky little gem runs for 100 minutes.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I also think Palindromes, though not for everyone is a wonderful comedy that tackles issues many would rather see as balack and white.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I agree with your review, like you said it is a film that is effective in showing issues that may make some people uncomfortable or prefer not to talk about. I really liked this film, it got me thinking and that's what I like in a good film.
I agree with you too, John, I really liked Happiness and Welcome to the Dollshouse, two very good films.
Tracy
Comment by Cibbuano
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