The Parts You Lose

The Parts You Lose is a compelling drama-thriller directed by Christopher Cantwell, released in 2019, featuring noteworthy performances by remarkable actors Aaron Paul, Scoot McNairy, and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. The film explores the impactful and profound bonds that can form between two lost souls from vastly diverse walks of life.

The storyline is wound around the life of a young deaf boy named Wesley, played by newcomer Danny Murphy, living in the wintry landscapes of North Dakota. Adapted to a quiet and isolated life due to his disability, Wesley struggles with frequent bullying and a strained relationship with his father (Scoot McNairy). His uneventful life takes a sudden turn as he stumbles upon a severely wounded man (Aaron Paul) lying helpless in the snow. This stranger, on the run after a botched robbery, is a felon pursued by the law enforcement agencies.

As his curiosity piques, Wesley braves his circumstances and takes the injured man under his wing, hiding him in an abandoned barn near his house. His innocent outlook sees this as a perfect companionship and an escape from his predictable life, and he is oblivious to the dangerous situation he is thrusting himself into. Wesley starts nursing the man back to his health, and they develop a unique bond, with the man teaching Wesley various skill sets to prepare him for the world outside.

Aaron Paul, notable for his roles in popular TV series such as Breaking Bad, gives a compelling performance as a fugitive on the run who somehow forms a strange father-like figure to Wesley. Paul delivers a nuanced portrayal, revealing his character's rough exterior while subtly hinting at the tentative tenderness and warmth that he builds for Wesley.

The nuances in Wesley's character is beautifully handled by Danny Murphy. The deaf boy's interactions with the world, his struggles with isolation, and how he strikes an unconventional friendship with an enigmatic stranger are beautifully displayed by the young actor. Scoot McNairy and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, portraying Wesley's parents, bring nuanced performances, showing struggles of a family trying to cope with their son's impairment and their frustrations, concerns, misunderstandings, and overprotectiveness towards their child.

The Parts You Lose boldly showcases the complexities of human relationships and ethics, delving into moral gray areas. It leads its viewers to question the definitions of right and wrong, relationships of care and trust, and the human ability to form bonds based on need and shared experiences rather than predefined societal roles.

Director Christopher Cantwell unravels a gripping narrative, taking audiences on a rollercoaster of emotions. The cinematography beautifully captures the small-town setup, and the icy, snow-covered landscapes serve as a character in their own right, effectively setting the tone and mood for the movie, reflecting the chilling isolation and loneliness that permeates through the characters' lives.

Moreover, the film cleverly uses the impediment of Wesley's deafness to its advantage. The lack of dialogue between the boy and Paul's character deepens their bond, and the silence subsequently becomes a powerful narrative tool, making an even more substantial impact on the audience.

While The Parts You Lose is a suspense thriller at its surface, it goes beyond that – it's a coming-of-age story that encapsulates survival, identity, friendship, and somehow, even a skewed sense of familial ties. Through its central characters – a young boy and a fugitive, the story effortlessly navigates between its thrilling plotline and profound emotional depths, leaving audiences deliberating over its meaningful subtext long after they have left the theatre.

In conclusion, The Parts You Lose is a deeply poignant, thought-provoking movie that explores the consequences of unlikely friendships, moral conundrums, and dives deep into the human tendency to empathize and connect. The story, acting, visuals, and treatment make it an engaging watch for those who appreciate movies with thematic depth combined with thrilling plot twists.