Every Day

Every Day is an enigmatic film that explores the complexities of familial relationships and tackles issues regarding personal identity, loyalty and the acceptance of life's inconsistencies. This 2010 drama offers an in-depth exploration of middle-class life, blended with emotionally charged performances and an engaging narrative. Directed by Richard Levine, the movie features an impressive ensemble cast including Liev Schreiber, Helen Hunt, Carla Gugino, and several other talented performers.

The film revolves around Liev Schreiber's character, Ned, a man caught amidst daily life's mundane hustle and struggle. He is struggling in his job as a writer in a controversial television series and tries to maintain a steady nerve despite his unsteady equation with his mercurial boss, Garrett, played by Eddie Izzard. His professional life may be in turmoil, but it’s as nothing compared to the complexity of his personal life.

At home, he deals with his wife, Jeannie, played by Helen Hunt, who is grappling with the nearing death of her ill and irritable father, Ernie, played by Brian Dennehy. Helen Hunt's depiction adds an emotional depth to Jeannie's character, enhancing the film's poignant undertone. Meanwhile, their two sons are each dealing with their own life-altering situations, adding additional layers of tension and drama to their everyday life.

Jonah, the eldest son, played by Ezra Miller, is experiencing the nascent throes of adolescence and exploring his homosexuality. A character who brings his own unique nuance to the cinematic mix is Ethan, the couple's younger son, struggling with school life's pressures and his evolving identity growing up in a non-traditional family.

Add to this mix, Ned's encounters with a female colleague, Robin, portrayed by Carla Gugino. It brings in an array of choices and consequences that further thicken the plot, highlighting the potential compromises and sacrifices a man may be willing to make to escape the relentless grind of daily life.

A tapestry of personal and professional problems, Every Day is a journey into the heart of a man and his family, forever on the cusp of change. The film’s title itself symbolizes the narrative, each day as it unfolds the mundane reality with an undercurrent of chaos and unhappiness reveals the daily upheavals of a typical middle-class family. Ned, a man at the center of this storm, somehow stands still, like the calm eye, processing the pivotal moments affecting his family’s structure.

Director Richard Levine, who is also known for his television work on shows like "Nip/Tuck", brings a realism to the screen that makes us feel as though we are peering into the intimate moments of this beleaguered family’s life. His ability to poignantly express the infuriating clinging threads of dying relationships, the terror of parental responsibility, and even the guilty relief of family tragedies highlights his skills both as a screenwriter and a director.

Every Day is fraught with melodrama and infused with subtle humor to balance the narrative, keeping audiences engaged. The evocative cinematography adds further authenticity to the story, capturing the mundane moments of everyday life and turning them into cinematic art. The film might not offer an escape from daily life; instead, it unfolds it realistically in front of the viewer with all its intricate complexities, making it relatable and engaging.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Schreiber shining as the harried husband, while Hunt’s portrayal of the strained wife is equally effective. Carla Gugino, Eddie Izzard, and Brian Dennehy excel in their roles, weaving the tapestry of this familial drama perfectly. But, it’s Ezra Miller who stands out, portraying the story's most emotionally complex and layered character.

Every Day is a sober and melancholy tale of an ordinary family dealing with the unfair hardships life has thrown at them, surviving each mundane day, each unexpected crisis, each daily miracle within the confines of their imperfect relationships. It continually highlights life’s unpredictability, demanding its characters, and perhaps audiences, to accept it as it comes. This film reminds us that life can change in an instant, forcing us to adapt to its harsh realities every day.

In conclusion, Every Day offers a cocktail of emotions and an intriguing exploration into the complexities of a seemingly common family navigated through an exceptional cast and an evocative story. It is a movie for those who appreciate raw, intimate narratives brimming with complexity and realism.