-Written by Kyle Bain.
Written and directed by Lawrence Kasdan, Mumford follows a doctor of the same name (Loren Dean) who has recently moved to town–also named Mumford. He quickly becomes popular, intriguing the other townspeople. Relationships are formed, and the truth about Mumford is revealed.
Mumford is a film steeped in simplicity, following a series of typical characters that are meant to resonate with viewers. Whether it’s the scenery, the characters, or something else, nearly the entirety of Mumford sits right before us. Sure, there are things to dissect–but the situations and sentiments (fabricated or not) present in this film resonate with viewers from start to finish. It’s easy to play along, easy to appreciate the characters and their plights, easy for just about every aspect of this film to resonate with viewers.
Mumford is a character-driven film that relies almost exclusively on the development of said characters. With the titular Mumford as the focal point, he is surrounded by an impeccable supporting cast of characters.
Sophie (Hope Davis): The idea of always seeking validation. Why do we look for the approval of others, even those that we don’t know? I’m not sure that this question is ever answered in Mumford, but it effectively addresses this issue–and I feel that Sophie is ultimately the emotional cornerstone of the film. She is the bridge, more than anyone else, between viewers and Mumford. She is the emotional translator in my opinion, just as important as Mumford himself to the success of this film.
Skip (Jason Lee): Skip symbolizes isolation, and the idea that money and success aren’t necessarily the keys to happiness. While clearly a genius, Skip often appears aloof and disconnected from reality (not in the typical sense, but in the sense that he struggles to be part of it)–he is a beacon of hope in terms of emotional competence. The staunch difference between Skip and Mumford creates a brilliant juxtaposition in tone that extends itself beyond Mumford.
Lionel (Martin Short): The neurotic, middle-aged man that plays foil to Mumford. Both possess aggressive personalities, yet Lionel often focuses on the negative, while Mumford focuses on the goal, the light at the end of the tunnel. While there is no true antagonist present in Mumford, Lionel is the closest the film gets to having one. Without Lionel, much of the film’s plot doesn’t move forward. He’s a testament to Kasdan’s writing, to his ability to incorporate so many integral characters into his films.
There are so many characters in this film–and nearly every one of them plays a significant role in the development of the story and of Mumford. Everything matters in this film–and through a diverse cast of characters, Mumford was brought to life brilliantly.
Kasdan and Director of Photography Ericson Core often use medium shots to follow the series of characters present in Mumford. What this does is put us more in touch with the emotions of each character, and better able to understand who and what they are, as well as their relevance in this film. I did feel that there were moments throughout the film in which an actor or two does falter a bit in regard to being able to express emotion–but I found that emotion was often present and that, with only a few slip ups, it does make its way to viewers quite nicely. The actors are the ones that are ultimately responsible for bringing emotion to life, but the use of medium and close-up shots play a pivotal role in the emotional development, as well as the development of Mumford as a whole.
My favorite shot of the entire production is just before the film fades to black. As Mumford sits in the back of a police car we see him through the cage, an object that doesn’t quite distort him, but causes him to be seen in a different light–so to speak. The cage sort of splits him into dozens of different pieces, signifying all of the pieces that make up this whole. Mumford is one of the most dynamic characters that I’ve ever seen in film–and while that is apparent throughout the course of Mumford, it’s the closing moments that best express this to viewers. If I hadn’t already loved the film so much, I think that this could have shifted my opinion, given me a reason to fall in love. The symbolism present in this scene is a fitting conclusion to a film full of it–brilliantly effective in this regard.
Mumford is a relatively straightforward film that focuses on real human struggles and emotions. The film never falters in this regard, remaining incredibly accessible throughout. I thoroughly enjoyed this film from the start, as it only grew more powerful and relevant throughout. Mumford ends perfectly–with an effective and pertinent conclusion to Mumford’s journey.
Written & Directed by Lawrence Kasdan.
Starring Loren Dean, Hope Davis, Jason Lee, Alfre Woodard, Mary McDonnell, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Zooey Deschanel, Martin Short, etc.
9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW
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