Anne at 13,000 ft

Anne at 13,000 ft is a gem of a movie from 2019 that features a gripping performance from Deragh Campbell and is directed by Kazik Radwanski who is known for his incisive takes on contemporary social issues. Campbell stars in the lead role of Anne, a high-strung and emotionally unsteady toddler teacher in a daycare, who takes a massive leap, both literally and metaphorically, as she decides to try skydiving. Lisa Aitken, Pat Bianco, Tiffany Blom, and Matt Johnson form the supporting cast that provides a strong scaffold around which Campbell weaves her tumultuous character journey.

The film delves deep into the exploration of Anne's often tumultuous and unsteady psyche, creating a portrait of an individual yearning for exhilaration, freedom and is in a constant rebellion against the bounds of conformity. Set against a buzzing modern city, the energy of the urban environment serves as an apt backdrop to mirror the restlessness roiling within Anne. This artistic choice complements the narrative beautifully, offering a magnified scrutiny into the life of Anne and her endeavor to find her footing amidst chaos.

Deragh Campbell's portrayal of Anne is key to the movie's emotional resonance. Her performance is raw, intense, and heartrendingly authentic. As Anne, Campbell delivers the turmoil of a young woman grappling with social norms and her disarrayed emotional state with an unsettling intensity and disarming vulnerability. Campbell's riveting performance earned her the Best Actress award in the Platform Prize category at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Lisa Aitken, Pat Bianco, and Tiffany Blom help round out this intimate portrait of a woman on the edge, and they each give their unique contributions to the central narrative. Their roles, while being secondary in nature, lend authenticity and depth to Anne's troubled world. At the same time, Matt Johnson lends a touch of bemused confusion and concern as Anne's boyfriend, Guy.

The tone of 'Anne at 13,000 ft' is set by its gripping opening sequence, where Anne takes a trial tandem skydive during her best friend’s bachelorette party. The symbolism is potent; the leap from the plane mirroring Anne’s own rapid descent into emotional disarray. Radwanski’s skillful direction effectively transposes Anne's internal tumult into potent visual storytelling. Known for his sympathetic take on fractured individuals, Radwanski draws us into Anne's vortex with the camera often lingering uncomfortably close to her, forcing the audience to share her unease, her fear, her possibilities, and her hope.

Radwanski's inventive narrative style and meticulous storytelling are also noteworthy in this film. The director effectively entwines reality and perception within the narrative structure, playing with the audience's empathy and understanding. As viewers, one finds themselves puzzled and entranced imagining the juxtaposition of Anne's inner and outer worlds, and how they both collide and coalesce through her journey.

Moreover, the film's profound take on mental health is both bold and compelling. 'Anne at 13,000 ft' grapples with the volatile nature of mental health, eschewing any sugar-coated narratives. Anne's struggle for control and the tumultuous consequences it has on her relationships is candidly portrayed, creating a resonating picture about the realities of mental instability. Her fascination for skydiving serves as a metaphorical depiction of her emotional highs and lows, giving the film an extra layer of depth.

'Anne at 13,000 ft' is a film that does not shy away from showcasing the harsh realities of mental struggles and the personal turmoil involved. It is a compelling narrative, marked by raw performances, authentic character interactions, and a determinedly unsettling nature that makes it a must-watch. This film serves as an exploration of a deeply troubled psyche and how it seeks freedom, conveyed by standout performances and imaginative direction. It's a movie that beckons you to jump into the powerful narrative and experience the free fall of emotions alongside Anne. As viewers, we not only watch but emotionally invest in Anne's life, seeing her fears, her confusions, her yearnings, and her struggles. A film with a challenging trajectory, 'Anne at 13,000 ft' is indeed a resonating exploration of humanity's internal unrest in a chaotic world.