Armless

Armless is a dark comedy-drama that released in 2010. Directed by Habib Azar and produced by Andrew Fierberg, the film unravels the unconventional and rather unique story of a man fighting his peculiar obsession. Daniel London, Janel Moloney, and Matt Walton lead the cast in this Indie film that is a blend of peculiar narrative, compelling performances, bold choices, and dialogues dripping with dark humor.

The central character of the plot, John, is portrayed by Daniel London with a balanced dash of conviction and vulnerability. In the movie, John is an ordinary man struggling with an out-of-the-ordinary eccentricity. He encounters an urge, an obsession. He is convinced that his life will only fall into place once he amputates both his arms. This isn't a desire born out of any physical discomfort nor any tangible reason but a psychological compulsion that he has a hard time fending off.

The film begins with John abandoning his routine life and embarking on a journey to the city. His aim? To find a surgeon who would be willing to go ahead with his abnormal request of voluntary amputation. His disappearance leaves behind a concerned family, primarily his wife, Anna, played by the talented Janel Moloney. Anna is portrayed as a composed woman who vehemently loves her husband, but the discovery of his dark obsessive secret is a sudden jolt. Her nuanced portrayal of a distraught but determined woman seeking answers is heart-wrenching and brilliant at the same time.

Juxtaposing the pivotal character of Anna is Matt Walton's character as the strange doctor. His layered character arc provides one of the film's most interesting dynamics. However, it's the way he factors into John's bizarre quest that shapes the movie's strong narrative structure. Sensitively portrayed, his character adds an element of intrigue that elevates the movie's narrative.

The screenplay by Kyle Jarrow is loaded with moments that are humorous as well as heart-rending, contributing to the eccentric mood of the film. The sharp, clever dialogue doesn't shy away from asking difficult questions or taking the narrative into eerily unusual territories. This divergence from the conventional is also mirrored in the film’s aesthetics. Habib Azar's careful direction ensures that the subtleties of the script are maintained while communicating the larger themes effectively.

The movie ventures into sensitive territories of mental health, our notions of normality, and the extent people would go to achieve what they perceive as their means to happiness. It challenges societal norms and plunges daringly into the depths of human psychology and obsession. Bizarre as the main theme might be, it elicits empathy and a sad understanding for John, mostly due to the honesty with which London portrays him.

Armless' brilliance also shines through its cinematography. The visuals, though simple, have an underpinning eeriness that resonates with the bizarre premise of the movie. The symbolic visual techniques adopted by Azar further emphasize the weird and uncomfortable parts of the plot, subtly reminding the audience about the movie's themes.

The film also leverages sound and music to bring forth the peculiarity of the storyline. A unique background score stays loyal to the movie’s theme while uncovering the complex emotional palette of the narrative.

Armless isn’t an easily digestible film given the challenging concepts it plays with, but it offers a thought-provoking exploration that is unconventional yet impactful. The performances by the cast, especially Daniel London and Janel Moloney, stand out, deepening the movie’s dark comedy nature and enhancing its sensitive undertones. It is a stark narrative that might not be easy watching for everyone, but it surely represents a fascinating take on the human psyche through its narrative choices.

In conclusion, Armless stands as an audacious indie film that merges the absurdity of dark comedy with the pain and depth of a drama. The film is a daring exploration of mental health and unconventional obsessions that leaves an impactful, if not uncomfortable, impression on the viewer. It’s a shining example of honest storytelling, earnest performances, and thought-provoking narrative choices.