-Written by Michelle Vorob.
My Week with Maisy is a short film by Mika Simmons, starring Joanna Lumley as Mrs. Foster, a woman who appears polished, but also uptight, going through regular chemotherapy appointments to treat cancer. During the course of her treatments, she meets a little girl named Maisy (Ellie-Mae Siame), who is also going through chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Mrs. Foster is estranged from her son, because she doesn't approve of his “lifestyle.” He has moved in with another man and they are a couple, which Mrs. Foster refers to as “playing house.” She is trying to word a text, to reach out to him, but can't find the words. Her nurse, Gaby (MyAnna Buring), is patient, understanding, and subtly encourages Mrs. Foster to reach out to her son. During this time, Mrs. Foster meets Maisy, a little girl of maybe 10, at the most, who breaks through Mrs. Foster's hard, crusty outer shell, as only a young child can.
My Week with Maisy starts with some lighthearted music and some humor. This short film technically falls into the category of dramedy, but I would say it's a drama, particularly heavy on drama at the end. You will cry. Prepare yourself.
The entire cast of My Week with Maisy gives wonderful, heartfelt performances. I loved watching Mrs. Foster's walls come down. I loved all the cute, innocent questions and comments that came out of Maisy's mouth. The relationship blossomed quickly and was endearing. Maisy always mentioned her father, but not her mother. It made me wonder if her mother had passed, or if she was simply a Daddy's girl. It also could have been a device to keep us thinking of Mrs. Foster's son and to possibly make Mrs. Foster feel closer to this girl [without the psychological barrier of a mother]. Regardless, the interaction was what kept them going and gave them hope, despite the circumstances.
One of the interesting things about these two characters is that Maisy talked about the likelihood of death, while Mrs. Foster had brushed it aside, or at least, tried to. Maisy asked questions about life and growing old. Maisy did things to make Mrs. Foster laugh. You could see that Maisy was tired and not feeling well, but tried to keep her spirits up and always had a smile for everyone else.
Mrs. Foster started out reserved, a bit cold and softened some as she spent time with Maisy, until she was at her most open and kind. Perhaps she was a warm, young woman and something happened in life to harden her. Perhaps she was always a bit cold and reserved, but meeting Maisy showed Mrs. Foster she could be open and accepting. Perhaps the circumstance of cancer treatment was the push that Mrs. Foster needed to realize she loved her son and wanted to be in his life, because their relationship was the only thing that mattered.
Directed by Mika Simmons.
Written by Mark Oxtoby.
Starring Joanna Lumley, MyAnna Buring, Ellie-Mae Siame, Poppy Gilbert, Adrian Christopher, Marcus Evans, etc.
8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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