How Heavy This Hammer

How Heavy This Hammer is a compelling Canadian film released in 2015, which centres on the life of its unassuming protagonist, Erwin, played by Erwin Van Cotthem, and his complex and nuanced everyday struggles. The film is idiosyncratic in its themes, presenting an intimate and immersive portrait of how modern mid-life crises can manifest in the contemporary world.

Erwin is a typical IT salesman based in Toronto, living what, at first glance, appears to be a mundane life. Erwin's life is a complex interplay between his everyday routine, familial responsibilities, and a deep sense of isolation. Kate Ashley brilliantly plays the role of Erwin's wife, mirroring her own frustrations and silent struggles with Erwin's disillusionment. Their two sons, played by Seth Kirsh and another young actor, further add to the layered nature of the narrative, expressing the subtle, often unseen tensions within a seemingly normal family.

Brilliantly directed by Kazik Radwanski, the film's mise-en-scène plays a vital role in expressing Erwin's internal turmoil. The movie excels at capturing the nuances of urban family life with a verisimilitude that feels relatable yet paradoxical in its ability to highlight the peculiarities of Erwin's existence.

One of the subplots of the film revolves around the tormented middle-aged man's obsession with a Viking-themed computer game that allows him to escape his universal anxieties, depicted via Erwin's immersive engagement in the virtual world. Unlike your classic addiction storyline, however, How Heavy This Hammer explores how escapism serves as a coping mechanism, allowing Erwin to avoid confronting his mounting dissatisfaction with his life.

Erwin's growing reticence and disconnection from his own life echoes the title's metaphorical significance. Just like a heavy hammer burdened by its own weight, Erwin's life seems to bear down on him. This narrative is reflected through Erwin's increasing physical lethargy, his apathetic approach to his dying sales career, his strained familial relationships and his restless need to escape the confines of his life into the numbing familiarity of his video game world.

How Heavy This Hammer manages to create a world of introspection and contemplation built on a foundation of the mundane and quotidian. Its artful combination of realism and metaphor makes it an approachable yet profound exploration of modern man’s internal conflicts.

The movie is unique in that it does not rely on dramatic twists and turns, momentous tragedies, or grand victories to keep the audience engaged. Instead, Radwanski draws you into an authentic, immersive world using restrained storytelling techniques, inviting the viewer to reflect on their own lives.

The film uses contemporary tools like video games, an urban landscape, and the always connected digital environment not as adversaries but as neutral and real elements of Erwin’s life. The film skilfully analyses how these interactions culminate into a modern-day life crisis. It strikes a brilliant balance between being a character analysis, a social commentary, and a psychological study, all at once.

To conclude, How Heavy This Hammer is a thought-provoking, slow-paced film that scrutinizes modern day alienation in a seemingly mundane, suburban life. It achieves this by diving into the deep end of its ordinary protagonist’s extraordinarily complicated mind and life. The remarkable performances, especially by Van Cotthem, coupled with Radwanksi’s visionary filmmaking artistry, ensures it remains engaging throughout. The film leaves one mulling over its subtleties and the profound questions it raises about modern life, long after the credits roll.