Shadows on the Wall | Ella McCay

Ella McCay

dir-scr James L Brooks
prd James L Brooks, Richard Sakai, Julie Ansell, Jennifer Brooks
with Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Albert Brooks, Woody Harrelson, Spike Fearn, Ayo Edebiri, Julie Kavner, Rebecca Hall, Becky Ann Baker, Kathleen Choe
release US/UK 12.Dec.25
25/US 20th Century 1h54

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Smartly written and played, this comedy-drama marks the return of writer-director James L Brooks after 13 years. It's the story about an intelligent, idealistic young woman who finds it impossible to lighten up about anything, especially as her life feels like it is exploding on every front. While it's talky and perhaps overly screwball, the extended family dynamics create a fizzy tone that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.

In 2008, bright 34-year-old Ella (Mackey) is the ruthlessly efficient lieutenant governor of an unnamed state in Middle America. Then her mentor Governor Bill (Brooks) is offered a cabinet role under Obama, and Ella is promoted to replace him. She relies on her enthusiastic husband Ryan (Lowden) and straight-talking Aunt Helen (Curtis), but along with the huge new responsibilities, Ella is thrown by the reappearance of her estranged father Eddie (Harrelson). And she's annoyed that her younger brother Casey (Fearn) is ghosting her, hiding from the world after a confusing break-up with his girlfriend (Edibiri).

Narrated by Kavner as Ella's faithful assistant, a prologue recounts how Ella moved in with Helen as a teen due to her womanising dad. While Ryan has a relaxing effect on the workaholic Ella, Helen has always had the feeling that Ryan would cause problems for Ella's career. Indeed, when he begins to pressure her, a painfully dark edge emerges. While each of her relationships is just as complicated, she knows who she can rely on. The dialog often gets somewhat dense, but it's also refreshingly intelligent.

All of the people in this film have personality quirks and gnawing issues they are grappling with. They're likeable only because they're such a mess. Mackey plays Ella as a young woman who is so intentional that it's almost frightening, wearing others out with her dedication to her job. Her relationships with the various people around her are nuanced and thoroughly engaging, with a continual stream of surprising moments. The ensemble around her is strong, even in underwritten roles.

At the centre of this story is a message about the need to face up to the difficult truths we tend to avoid. It's a reminder to remember that everyone else is dealing with their own stuff, and that having some empathy is the only way we will ever move forward. Sometimes what we really need is a good cathartic scream. And perhaps we also need to dig deep and remember who we are.

themes, language 17.Nov.25

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