ME, MY MEDS, AND MY MOTHER by KAT CONWAY
Directed by Kat Conway / Reviewed by Ria Saha
A moving 15-minute short film written, directed, and produced by Kat Conway where you can expect everything from love, emotion, a peculiarly funny storyline, and great acting in “Me, My Meds, & Mother”. The movie is about a lovely relationship between mother and daughter. The relationship between them is debilitated, yet, you can feel the closeness and attachment between them throughout the movie.
Kat Conway has written about an aging patient with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and her dilemma with a surprising flair for life when she becomes physically attracted to her caregiver, Hilario, who also moonlights as an Elvis impersonator (ending up on the cutting room floor for the submission of Festival-de-Cannes 15-minute short film division guidelines) well played by actor James Chalke recognized for his performances in countless Dolph Lundgren feature films), and the uncommon unspoken disorder of Selective mutism. Though mother is in the early stage of Alzheimer’s, similar to other Alzheimer patients with a command for “pool of art and music memories,” mother’s right (creative) brain allows her to quickly recall her passion for 1930s songs and a Japanese poem impressing all who are delighted by her performances.
On another note,her daughter Louise, suffers from Selective Mutism. It is not easy to portray the relationship between mother and daughter in the short time the movie runs,yet, the work was done brilliantly and without any deficiency of emotions. It will be mostly loved by mothers and daughters who love each other in the same way depicted in the movie despite their disabilities. We all wish Alzheimer’s would allow moments of complete love. For a time, in the earlier stages of the disease, it does. When the curtain comes down, there is never another act, and credits roll to “The End”.
The performance by Flo Lawrence (Mother) was brilliantly played as a mother and Alzheimer’s patient. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that causes brain cells to degenerate and die. This is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral, and social skills that disrupts a person’s ability to function independently. Actress Flo Lawrence Portrayed all these characteristics with her finely tuned acting artistry of which I am actually very impressed.
Jacqueline Finch (Daughter) is more complicated. She suffers from Selective mutism, a severe anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak, paired with a prescription drug addiction representative of the current US prescription drug epidemic. She avoids certain social situations that are attached to painful memories. To permanently forget these lapses she indulges in a cocktail of prescription drugs causing a twitch, constipation, and a disgusting cigarette habit to further calm her anxieties.Louise is initially unhappy about the arrangement of her mother, soon connects with the sober companion, and listens to her advice in a transformative way. What is a sober companion? A professional, similar to a caregiver, yet, has experience working closely with persons struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction. Louisegets worse before she gets better which makes her Mother really happy.
The role of Lynelle Ladd (Kate) is to be highlighted as she always guides and believes Louise can recover. The movie is a harmonious blend of love, trust and a talented ensemble.
With a rare combination of, dignity, and humor, Actress Flo Lawrence must be praised again for her performance as the Alzheimer patient who begrudgingly unites with her daughter for the sake of her well being. Surely, a powerful storyline! I believe every mother and daughter must watch this movie. It is considered a well-crafted independent film that is award-worthy.
“Me, My Meds, & Mother” is an outstanding film, though, the movie is only a 15-minute short, edited originally from a feature length screenplay, it holds promise of brilliant work in the future from Kat Conway
