Chained For Life

Chained for Life is a compelling piece of independent cinema crafted by writer-director Aaron Schimberg. Released in 2018, the film stars talented actors Jess Weixler, Adam Pearson, and Stephen Plunkett, among others. It's an audacious exploration of the movie industry's perception of physical attractiveness, human beauty, and the stereotypes and prejudices often found within the visual medium.

In Chained for Life, we follow the story of a beautiful actress named Mabel, convincingly played by Jess Weixler. Mabel seals her role in a horror movie to be shot at an out-of-town, ramshackle hospital setting. As she delves into her new project, making a feature film under the helm of an ambitious but somewhat myopic European director, played by Charlie Korsmo, she finds herself sharing a lot of screen time with her co-star Rosenthal, given life by Adam Pearson.

Pearson, known from his role in Under the Skin, was born with neurofibromatosis, which causes non-cancerous tumors to grow in the nervous system. His character, Rosenthal, shares the same condition in the film, thus bringing real-life experiences and authenticity to his role. Mabel and Rosenthal's on-screen relationship vacillates between professional detachment, budding friendship, and blooming romantic tension. This greatly reflects the film's thematic center dealing with the interplay of truth and illusion, reality and fiction, normality and peculiarity, and the experience of being 'different'.

Chained for Life challenges stereotypes about disfigurement and beauty with surprising warmth and gentleness. It's also an intriguingly meta-movie, taking its name from a 1952 exploitation film that starred real-life conjoined twins. Throughout its running time, the film conscientiously questions the well-established conventions and prejudices of the film industry without getting sermonizing.

Weixler brings a profound vulnerability and kindness to Mabel. Her unsuspecting journey into questioning the norms and the status quo of society and cinematic portrayal feels genuine. Rosenthal feels like a genuinely fleshed-out character rather than a vehicle for social commentary. Pearson delivers a performance that is both touching and engaging, masterfully navigating the line between realistic portrayal of a man with an unconventional physical appearance and beating cinematic stereotypes.

Stephen Plunkett also shines bright with his portrayal of Max, Mabel's co-star and the typical handsome lead actor. His presence becomes an essential contrast to the characters of Mabel and Rosenthal and his relationship with them acts as a window to explore the inner workings of the glamorous film industry.

The director, Aaron Schimberg, himself has a cleft palate, which he refers to in an art-imitates-life imitation of the character Herr Director in the movie-in-movie. Schimberg's personal experiences and insights bring an authentic feeling of lived experience to this on-screen exploration of perceptions of difference. He constructs a visually stunning story, deliberately peppered with poetic instances that question perceptions of beauty and acceptance.

Chained for Life isn't just an ordinary film about making a film; it's a profound exploration of how cinema itself shapes and amplifies prejudices. While it doesn't shy away from the more heartfelt and gentle moments that make us human, it also offers an irony-tinged commentary on exploitation, objectification, and representation in the world of cinema.

Rich in meta-commentary, poignant insight, and boasting of layered performances, Chained for Life is a carefully crafted, engaging, and thought-provoking piece of cinema. It transcends the classic narratives typically tied to characters with disabilities or physical differences. It doesn't set out to provide easy answers but instead, asks the audience to question themselves, the world around them, and the images that they ingest from the silver screen. Ultimately, Chained for Life is an impactful film which explores the interplay of beauty, art, and humanity while simultaneously providing a critique of the film industry’s portrayal of people who don’t fit conventional beauty standards. It takes the audience on a compelling journey that’s sure to leave them contemplative long after the credits roll.