Rare Objects

Greetings again from the darkness. The emotional turmoil in the aftermath of being the victim of sexual assault is incomprehensible to anyone who hasn't experienced such trauma. Writer-director Katie Holmes and Phaedon A Papadopoulos have adapted Kathleen Tessaro's 2016 novel, transitioning it from depression-era to modern day New York City. At the center of the story are two women, one working diligently to regain some control of her life, and another with a form of mental illness that seems to prevent a return to normalcy.

We first see Benita (Julia Mayorga, "American Rust") as she is ending her stay for therapy. She has been the victim of a sexual assault that led to an abortion. Her reunion with her mother (Saundra Santiago, "Miami Vice") is quite awkward since Benita hasn't told her mom any of what she's been through ... only that she's taking some time off from college classes. As Benita looks for a job in the old neighborhood, we see her visions and flashbacks - what led to the attack, as well as her bonding with Diana (director Katie Holmes) during therapy.

The owner (Alan Cumming) of a local antique shop takes a shine to Benita and not only offers her a job, but also tutors her on how best to deal with their customer base. One of those customers happens to be the same Diana from therapy. It turns out Diana and her brother come from big money, and he does what he can for his sister. Things get interesting when the shop's co-owner, Winshaw (Derek Luke, Holmes' co-star in PIECES OF APRIL, 2003) shows up. Life lessons and philosophical mutterings are sprinkled throughout conversations in the shop, and Benita really values her budding friendship on the outside with Diana.

The lessons here are plenty, and most of them are quite obvious and re-treads from other stories. One can't ever really go home again and have it be the same. Old friends may run into each other, but the connection is different in adulthood (partners, kids, jobs, etc all change people's priorities). We can all make new friends, but if the history isn't there, the bond is only so strong. Alan Cumming offers up the best lesson when he discusses how broken vases can be reassembled, with their repaired cracks creating more beauty and value. Everyone in this movie is broken in their own way, and it's true that for those who persevere, the cracks add strength and beauty. Julie Mayorga is a rising star, and Saundra Santiago, Derek Luke, and Alan Cumming all deliver their usual strong performances. Looking at bad memories as bad dreams can often help folks recover, but true mental illness is a significant battle for all involved. As a side note, this is yet another movie where the background music is played entirely too loud and often interferes with the dialogue and flow.

Opening April 14, 2023.

The protagonist is a lovely actress, and Alan Cummings is adorable, but the drama is predictable and lacking. I have not read the book but I was hoping that this film was really going to unpack the trauma of sexual assault victims. Instead it focuses more on Holmes' character, a bipolar/schizophrenic addict who fidgets a lot, and her relationship with Benita. In fact their surface level friendship takes up a good portion of the film but it's not terribly interesting. They have a couple of giggly late night chat sessions, get drunk a couple of times, and wax poetic about life, but other than being broken, which apparently every character is in some capacity, I don't see what they have in common. I'm a trauma victim, I just don't see bonding over mental illness as a positive thing. I also really disliked how preachy this film feels, characters constantly drop feel good lines about beauty, honesty and rebirth, it feels like a Pinterest board full of inspirational quotes, and they like to show broken objects constantly to remind you of how broken the characters are, but unlike objects people cannot be repaired with some gold epoxy resin. And that's the big drawback here, a woman who was raped almost never discusses or receives therapy for it, and we're suppose to believe she picks up and moves on. Sexual trauma is a life time affliction, and it would take way longer for this woman to acclimate post trauma than it depicts in the film. It honestly undermines the severity of mental health in pursuit of touting some flowery speech and feel good moments. I think Katie Holmes would have been better sticking to Pinterest.

I thought it was terrific. Katie Holmes' performance was exceptional in my opinion. I'm not really familiar with her acting but I was blown away. She was beyond convincing in the role. The facial expressions, the sadness and torment in her eyes. I felt it. I'm surprised at alot of the low reviews on this film. Can't please everyone I suppose.

Great acting all around. Julia was terrific. Not familiar with her until this role. I'm familiar with Alan Cumming - great actor.

It kept my interest. I didn't pause it which is rare for me. Lol. I looked up the movies she's been in and there are a ton of them! I look forward to more of Katie's work.

Recommend it.

This movie is about looking at your life. Enough is enough - More can kill you.

People and Society expect you to be as much as possible. If you have ability then you have to use it to progress as far as you can. This movie says - just enjoy what you want to be. Less is More.

The two Mum's represent the pressures that Society put on you. The antique shop guys represent a world where you can enjoy who you are - but even that can be sad if you lose your soulmate - but even that can be pisitive if you reflect on the joy that it brought.

This movie is great - if you are willing to hear, rather than just listen.

I am giving this movie a higher rating simply because the movie resonates with where I am in life, coming to terms with a lot of grief and hard emotions. This movie forced me to slow down and think and feel my own experiences. The movie was slow, there was a lot of room for improvement but I thought it was really beautiful. There was this uncomfortable tension amongst all the characters that was felt and added a certain electricity. It was completely different than expected but much appreciated from my own perspective. This movie won't be for everyone as the ratings reflect. I would have loved a little more development and dialogue.