Starfish

Starfish is a deeply moving and poignant British drama that premiered in 2016. This extraordinary film, based on a real-life story, features extraordinary performances from acclaimed actress Joanne Froggatt and her talented co-star Tom Riley.

Starfish pivots around the devastating effects of a life-altering illness. Froggatt plays Nicola, the resilient and compassionate wife of Tom Ray, masterfully portrayed by Tom Riley. Tom Ray was an ordinary man with a beautiful wife and lovely daughter until he was blindsided by a brutal disease. Froggatt’s portrayal of Nicola celebrates the human spirit’s endurance and the depth of perseverance people are capable of when faced with adversity. Meanwhile, Riley's performance as Tom is empathetic and heartrending, pulling the viewer into his tortuous journey with his raw and genuine portrayal.

Starfish is not merely a traditional medical drama. It deviates from the norm by presenting a combination of an emotional family drama and an intense survival story within a narrative typically dominated by medical proceedings. The film starts off as an idyllic portrayal of a young couple in love, building their dream life with their daughter. However, it quickly takes a dramatic turn as the couple's life is disrupted by Tom's sudden illness.

The film meticulously explores Tom’s fight for survival and Nicola’s determination to keep her family together despite the tragic changes in their lives. It is a heartfelt dive into the human experience, exploring how people navigate complex situations, vacillating between despair and optimism, love and resentment, self-pity and resilience.

Furthermore, Starfish pays careful attention to minor details, significantly contributing to the raw and gritty atmosphere of the film. The visual journey that the film takes the audience through is rich in depth, bolstered by beautifully shot scenes from the English countryside. It eloquently captures the entirety of the human experience, from the banal to the profound.

Joanne Froggatt’s portrayal of Nicola is profoundly resonant, projecting a myriad of feelings of fear, love, agony, desperation, strength, and hope that are universally identifiable. She gives an authentic voice to the millions of people who find themselves in the same situation. Meanwhile, Tom Riley’s spectacular act of embodying Tom Ray fully captures the trials and tribulations of a man grappling with a life that has spiraled out of control. His complex characterization brims with despair and determination, showing a man transformed both physically and emotionally.

Michelle Dotrice, as Tom's mother, adds significant depth to this tender narrative, highlighting the profound effects of such an experience, which extends far beyond the nuclear family. Dotrice’s nuanced portrayal is moving, providing the audience a mechanism for relief from the intense rollercoaster of emotions that the main plot brings forth.

However, what truly sets Starfish apart is its careful and detailed approach to a complicated and sensitive subject. The film dexterously avoids turning into a melodrama and instead takes a strikingly real and heartfelt approach that thoroughly explores its characters' physical and emotional landscapes. The film is carefully laid out, utilising flashbacks and dreams to piece together the narrative in a way that serves to maintain a high emotional impact without sensationalizing the subject matter.

By steering away from traditional storytelling techniques, Starfish beautifully balances its emotional beats while providing thoughtful insights into the human ability to endure and persevere. It is a tear-jerking story about love, resilience, strength, and the human spirit’s power to persevere in the face of adversity, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone seeking a deeply moving narrative.

Whether it's the gripping performance of the leads, the sensitive handling of the subject, the beautifully composed cinematography, or the emotionally charged narrative, Starfish comes out as a heartfelt experience that takes the audience through a roller coaster of emotions, leaving a lasting impression. It is a potent reminder of the indomitable spirit within each of us, capable of rising from even the most challenging circumstances.