Song Without Words

I watched Song Without Words because it sounded like such a feelgood movie. Which it is and then some! But what I didn't expect was something just so totally magical and unique. It's also one of those rare films that comes out every now and then that has almost no dialogue but is beautiful to watch and works like a modern fairytale on the screen. It's hard to know where to start without spoiling the story.

So it's about a woman who lives in a horrible apartment block next door to a real bully. Her life is tough and she just can't get a break. Then she meets a dancer who dances like a robot. He does these shows on the street and the whole world stops when he does. The question she quickly asks herself is what if he is really a robot? We then meet other characters who see the dancer and all are asking themselves the same question. But instead of turning into science fiction, the really incredible part is the way all their stories come together and all their lives are touched.

Anna Thorold is incredible as the character trapped in a hard life. She is so good in the role that when she smiles when good things start to happen she'll break your heart. Steve Sammut is right on the money and brilliant as an office worker who also seems trapped. His boss hates him and when he comes across the dancer he starts going out of his mind trying to work out if it's a dancer. Some of his scenes are the funniest and most unexpected moments things in the whole film. Loved it!

But even though it's feelgood and fantasy, there are also suddenly some deep themes and even confronting scenes of life on the wrong side of the tracks. I found myself thinking about how much they crammed into the story and what they were trying to say and what they did say.

Ah, a hidden gem? This definitely seems like the type of film that could have a cult following. I will say that this was indeed a unique little film. The mime guy did his duty as a vessel for change, along with that somewhat aggravating shrill music box tune that accompanied each of his performances. Audiences should note, there is a hidden scene that rolls after the credits- and it is actually a few minutes long- so make sure to look out for that!

It is actually a tad difficult to even describe what this is really about. The filmmakers either did not know what they were trying to express, wanting to express too many things at once, or purposely made it cryptic so it could be more "quirky". On the surface, it is positing the question of robots and instilling a little fear that they could very well take over the world without us knowing. It mentions more than once that the word "robot" originates from the Czech word "robota," meaning "forced labor" or "servitude". This word was introduced by Czech playwright Karel Capek in a 1920 play.

It is not an entire silent, but it does minimize dialogue. Curiously, the only characters who are allowed to talk are two men who are AI consultants, seemingly out to warn the world about robots. Most spoken dialogue can be attributed to one telling the other what they will "miss" once robots takeover the world.

The other main characters we get to meet are a woman who is being bullied in her apartment and also seems to be mourning the loss of her son, a police constable who awkwardly flirts with the girl upstairs in forensics (this is all done through text messages typed out as if in real time on screen, they never actually talk out loud), and a likewise clunky courting that takes place between an office worker and his female colleague. The stories all loosely connect, as they take time out of their day to go into the parking lot to watch this street performer in his mime performances.

Unfortunately, these stories are all loose threads that are never tied together and left largely unexplained. Every time what send to be a plot behind to emerge, the audience is steered in another direction, never to return. One example is that the street performer leaves behind a backpack with a note sewn into the lining that the constable and aforementioned forensics girl do testing on. This letter is revealed to be a secret message that says, "Please help me. I made this bag. I work on a factory. I am not allowed to leave the factory until I have finished the orders... start before dawn and sometimes they don't pay me... the work is always too much. We are always tired. Sometimes people faint. We can't even sleep from the pain. If you are reading this, I want you to know what people can do to other people." Yet. This police officer sees the mime again, never mentions the bag or the note again. There is a guy who is seen several times that rolls two dice. This is never explained. There is a faulty smoke alarm beeping every time we enter the mourning mother's apartment. This is likewise never explained. A random guy who plays the violin in the park and runs away from the officer when he arrives. This is treated as perfectly understandable. Even the only two talking guys never go anywhere. We see them in a few random scenes that interact with the other characters, they watch the street performer, and then they host what looks like a seminar on robots, but that's it. Nothing is really developed. No characters, no plots. It's almost a surreal foray into a mood piece, which leaves audiences unfulfilled and likely frustrated.

That being said, it was unique, does pose some interesting questions regarding human connection and robots, and somehow manages to be a feel-good film. It might take some poetic faith, but if you are a viewer that doesn't mind vagueness and an inexplicable hash of sketches, this might be the refreshing independent film you were looking for!

This indie gem dives deep into the complexities of identity and what it means to be human. From its haunting opening to its unpredictable conclusion, the film keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every twist feels earned, unraveling layers of mystery and emotion. The performances are raw and compelling, and the cinematography is stunning, enhancing the eerie, almost poetic atmosphere. It's a thought-provoking journey that lingers long after the credits roll, offering moments of tension, beauty, and introspection. A must-watch for those who love films that challenge the boundaries of storytelling and leave you questioning reality.