Warning: The film and this review mentions depression and suicide.
Written and directed by Michael McGowan, All My Puny Sorrows is an adaptation of Miriam Toews’ 2014 novel of the same name. The film, a drama that centers two sisters, one who is recovering from attempted suicide and the other who is pleading with her not to die, is a mish-mash of intensely-felt emotions and half-baked character backstories. When the story is focused on the present, it goes a long way in its willingness to bring up uncomfortable truths and feelings. Steeped in heartbreaking turmoil and layered performances, the film is lackluster when exploring the characters and their history with mental illness.
Yoli Von Riesen (Alison Pill) is a successful writer who is struggling to finish her next novel after the last one bombed. She’s in the middle of a divorce from an ex-husband who is frustrated by her refusal to sign the papers when she is called back to her hometown following her sister Elfrieda’s (Sarah Gadon), “Elf” for short, suicide attempt. Yoli is angry and frustrated with Elf, a renowned pianist who is resigned to death despite her sister’s protests and unwillingness to let her go. In the midst of all this is their mother, Lottie (Mare Winningham), a stoic woman who rarely lets her emotions past the wall she’s seemingly put up after Jake (Donal Logue), her husband and the women’s father, died by suicide years prior.
The title of the film (and book) is taken from the poem “To a Friend” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in which the poet writes about his relationship with his only sister, to which he poured all his “puny sorrows.” It’s apt considering the story centers on two sisters whose snarky comments to each other, family history, and generally deep discussions are the beating heart of this uneven film. McGowan’s adaptation is deeply moving, emotionally driven, and often riveting to watch. Yoli is the driving force and her emotions, riddled with anger, love, desperation, resentment, and a dose of sarcasm and dark humor, are messy and deeply complex. However, for the story to unfold primarily through her perspective is also frustrating, especially since the writing isn’t interested in offering more than a vague reading of her and her family’s past.
The film suggests the Mennonite community — which the Von Riesen family was a part of, and of the church in particular — deepened Yoli’s father’s depression, which no one knew he struggled with. But there isn’t an exploration of this nor of Elfrieda’s own depression beyond an impassioned speech she gives to Yoli about how she really feels and its effects on her mind. While the family has a history of mental illness, there isn’t much depth given to the subject or to the people at its center, with the story defaulting to Yoli’s perspective to guide viewers. The result is rather empty and stifled in its handling of suicide and depression. There’s no doubt that the feelings in the film are complex and incredibly real, but the film refrains from delving any further than it needs to, leaving the audience with thinly veiled impressions rather than a firm handle on its presentation.
Since the family history is all so unclear — there are hints the Mennonite church pushed them out of the community and Jake’s superiors were not thrilled with Elfrieda wanting to study music — there’s a lot to be desired when it comes to All My Puny Sorrows’ discussion and portrayal of mental illness overall. All that said, Alison Pill gives an incredibly moving performance. As Yoli, she is frustrated, mentally exhausted, and she wants so desperately to keep her family together that it’s difficult not to sympathize with her. Pill’s portrayal is nuanced and deeply human. Sarah Gadon, though offered slightly less material to work with, does a tremendous job capturing Elf’s detachment, resolve, and general emotional state in a way that is more layered than the screenplay presents.
The film doesn’t pretend to have any answers, driven as it is by the characters’ complicated feelings in the midst of tragedy and lasting trauma. And, while its performances are lovely and tender, with the execution somewhat messy in its handling of themes, All My Puny Sorrows doesn’t dig past the surface enough to make a strong enough case for itself.
All My Puny Sorrows had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2021. The film is 103 minutes long and is not yet rated.