Unpacking

Amazing that a first feature could be achieved with such confident, clear storytelling and technical polish. All of the production and direction choices made by Alexandra Clayton and Michal Sinnott make the film compelling. It touches a nerve in modern personal relationships - the title refers to unpacking of the emotional as well as the suitcase kind. I never lost attention. Improvised dialogue can be self-indulgent but here it is crisp and balanced well with scripted dialogue. All the actors trust themselves and are easy to watch. There is a brilliant scene in which the physical experience of childbirth is discussed by two of the women. Also, there is the uncanny writing and realization of a gigolo character. The sound design is beguiling - light, not heavy. The film is already intense - a heavy sound design would be a drag. The film takes its subject matter seriously, but too seriously. I appreciated that it does not demean men or new-age self-help therapies.