GFF16 Review: James White

Twenty-something New Yorker James’s (Christopher Abbott)
life falls into disarray as he loses his father and his mother (Cynthia Nixon)
is diagnosed with cancer. After years of freeloading off his parents, James is
forced to try and find some stability in his life as he begins to lose control.

Opening with James at a nightclub whilst his late Father’s
Shiva takes place, Mond’s film initially crafts its protagonist as unreliable,
emotionally-immature, and generally self-serving – although it’s more complex
than that. There’s a sadness about the character who is unable to cope with the
crushing emotional demands of these occasions and unable to commit to a job,
his family or a relationship, despite a clear love for those around him –
sweetly depicted in a complex performance from Abbott who manages to channel
the quiet agony of someone struggling with the loss of one parent, whilst
gradually losing the other.

Mond’s narrative focuses on James’s attempts to keep things
together, but losing focus through the pressures of various curveballs. Yet
Mond hasn’t crafted a simple victim-centric narrative – James is a problematic
character, throwing continual excuse to every problem that comes his way – the
repeated phrase “I’m just trying to get some help here” doubles as a cry of a
desperate man yet also a frustrating reminder of someone used to avoiding
responsibility. As the narrative progresses, the emotional transition of Mond’s
protagonist becomes refreshing as his faces up to the often grim
responsibilities of life – here his fierce loyalty to his family in crisis
becomes fully apparent.

James White is grounded in two sublime performances with
Abbott and Nixon soaring with Mond’s punchy material. There’s a quiet sadness
about James  subtlety played by Abbott who captures the mounting pressures
faced by the struggling twenty-something. This is complimented by Nixon as the
previously full of life  Gail White, who grows further dependant on her
son as her health worsens. The latter stages of the film are somewhat harrowing
in their emotionally-charged depiction of the cancer process as the independent
Gail becomes less so – forcing James to step-up.

James White is an impressive indie that is likely to
resonate with viewers in their twenties thanks to stirring performances from
Abbott and Nixon. 

★★★★

Originally Featured: The People’s Movies