by Kristin Ciliberto, Contributing Writer
First-time director Fran Kranz has been seen in front of the camera before and starred in films such as The Cabin in the Woods. He not only directed, but wrote and produced, Mass an emotionally-driven film that is absolutely devastating. The drama follows the aftermath of two couples who come together after an extremely terrible and violent tragic event that affected their lives in different ways. Jay (Jason Isaacs), Gail (Martha Plimpton), Linda (Ann Dowd), and Richard (Reed Birney) come together in a film that explores loss, guilt, and grief.
What needs to be considered this award season is the performances that help build this intense film for what it is. Kranz’s film gets all these actors together sitting around a table in a church. At the beginning of the film, there is nervous energy, which sets the tone of the film. Judy (Breeda Wool) and a couple of other people set up the space for the couples who do not express in great detail what would go down. It’s an awkward and uneasy feeling for what’s to come.
Watching the two sets of parents, one of the alleged shooter and the other the victim’s parents, captivate the audience as Kranz leads them into an uncomfortable conversation dealing with the issue of a school shooting. On the wall behind the shooter’s parents hangs a cross of the crucified Christ. Kranz challenges these actors, putting them to the test by having them trust each other and tapping into their deep, raw, and emotional feelings. Issacs, Plimpton, Dowd, and Birney shine, giving their best and brilliant performances to date. The characters are filled with rage, grief, and heartbreak as they have to deal with their broken lives. Each has questions — especially Plimpton and Isaac’s characters who want answers they might never get.
Kranz’s film may feel like a play with heavy dialogue to some audiences, but it’s all raw and real. He has the audience see the perspectives of each of the parents, and the film does not hold back discussing what happened. Only some parents can understand what these characters are going through, and there is truth to their performances. It all intensifies as the entire film plays out. This film is challenging to watch, but presents a crucial and very important discussion. He adds very little direction and camera movements — everything is minimal as the focus is set on the conversation. Kranz is definitely a future director to look out for.
Mass has tension that is razor-sharp, and is filled with realistic powerhouse performances and a story that looks at the complex study of human behavior. It’s heartbreaking to watch.
Grade: A-