-Written by Kyle Bain.
When Steven’s (Nathan Watt) mother, Selma (Andie MacDowell) is diagnosed with cancer, the whimsical life that he once shared with his mother, younger sister, and pragmatic father Sid (John Turturro) is upended. Finding solace in his enigmatic uncles Danny (Michael Richards) and Arthur (Maury Chaykin), a pair of Unstrung Heroes, Steven’s journey through life is one for the ages.
Based on the true story of Steven/Franz Lidz, Unstrung Heroes is a Hollywood-esque version of his life. With certain liberties taken, and the absolute truth of it all not making its way to the big screen, Lids struggled with this final product. Though, I found the wonderfully whimsical, yet grounded narrative to be one of the most charming things that I’ve seen in years.
If you want to cry, watch Unstrung Heroes. If you want to feel joy, watch Unstrung Heroes. If you want to see that there is a good in this world, watch Unstrung Heroes. This film has it all, an emotional roller coaster of a journey, one that works brilliantly and imagines the life of a child during tragedy in a way that is unique, but wonderfully accessible. A visceral experience, Unstrung Heroes is steeped in reality, one in which suffering is inevitable, but redemption, too, is not only possible, but there for the taking.
The idea of escapism plays a prominent role in Director Diane Keaton’s Unstrung Heroes, as the majority of Steven’s narrative is his attempt to avoid the inevitable, to find solace in his wacky uncles, and come to understand that there’s more to life than the pain and suffering that has the potential to engulf him. Escaping reality is something that we all face at some point in our lives–trying to avoid the things that cause us pain. Unstrung Heroes presents viewers with a poignant expression of this, again, becoming accessible every step of the way. This is a brilliant, yet straightforward depiction of this idea of escapism, and with a child at the forefront of the film, the message is received.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Watt’s performance in this film, his ability to fill the room and pluck emotion out of thin air. He’s the narrator, he’s the guide through a troubling time–and Watt’s ability to evoke emotion in the audience, to create something emotionally spectacular is beyond even what some of the A-listers in Hollywood today are able to create. He leads other actors, he allows them to develop emotion, and Unstrung Heroes is nearly perfect as a result.
While a heavy tone transcends nearly the entirety of Unstrung Heroes, a level of innocence is present as well, juxtaposing and balancing that aforementioned heaviness. The film relies heavily on the innocence of Steven and Uncle Arthur, as the sadness that permeates both of them ultimately results in them being constant reminders of the innocence that exists in this world. Their unique approach toward life is heartwarming, often the reason I was drawn close to tears. Unstrung Heroes achieves brilliant tonal balance–propelling it forward and providing an array of emotions that resonate with viewers.
Unstrung Heroes is simply beautiful, a testament to both the strength and importance of family. Steeped in both innocence and whimsy, Unstrung Heroes is a film that will resonate with you, regardless of where you are in your life, regardless of what you’ve experienced. I love this film, both its ingenuity and its simplicity. It’s a film made for all, a film that combines brilliant technical aspects, beautiful acting, and immersive storytelling to create something truly unique and compelling.
Directed by Diane Keaton.
Written by Franz Lidz & Richard LaGravenese
Starring Nathan Watt, Andie MacDowell, John Turturro, Michael Richards, Maury Chaykin, etc.
9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW
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