Mass

Fran Kranz delivers an excellent writing and directorial debut in this powerful story of tragedy. Set six years after a high school shooting parents of one of the victims, Evan, Jay (Jason Isaacs) and Gail (Martha Plimpton) take the opportunity to meet Linda (Anne Dowd) and Richard (Reed Burney) parents of the perpetrator, Hayden. The aim, to find a a way through the unimaginable tragedy and its impact on their lives.

Filmed in fourteen days on a small budget, this is a remarkable film. While there is some early literal scene setting, the story takes place in a single room in the back of a church. A sparse and quiet space that is the perfect canvas for an experienced and talented cast to deliver their engrossing performances.

What they do brilliantly is capture the raw emotion of their impossible situation. And it never shys away of telling both sides of the story, the hurt of Jay and Gail is matched by that of Linda and Richard who want to mourn a son, while dealing with the reality he’s a killer. Throughout each tries to keep their anger and anguish inside, but neither can bury their emotions deep enough.

This is not a joy ride, there are no cinematic tricks to bring the horrors the couples are dealing with to the screen. The single room for the majority of the film is used very effectively, as the claustrophobic feeling it creates ramps the tension and anguish, as you relive the tragic events through those who remain.

Its subject matter makes this an intense watch. The four central performances are fantastic, engaging, delivering beautifully controlled emotion that leaves you on edge right to the emotional gut punches that bring some closure.

While it does perhaps run a little long, it does not detract from what is a throughly absorbing story, well directed and outstandingly performed.

In a world full of blockbusters it’s wonderful to see cinema like this. Shot on a budget, with a simple premise, but full of emotional dept. Delivered in a performance masterclass from its cast, that engages completely. Available at cinemas and to stream it deserves to be seen.