Walk Away Renee

Walk Away Renee is a powerful, deeply personal documentary film released in 2011, the work of filmmaker Jonathan Caouette, which is both an intimate family portrait and an exploration of mental illness. This movie is a sequel to Caouette's first documentary, Tarnation (2003), but functions as a stand-alone film, as well.

The film revolves around the relationship between Caouette and his mother, Renee Leblanc. Renee, a strikingly beautiful woman, lives with a severe mental illness that has marked much of Caouette's life. The title of the movie derives its name from the 1966 Left Banke song, “Walk Away Renee,” a tribute to the captivating yet fleeting beauty of the muse, Renee. Here, it could be taken as an emblematic song about a son's deep-rooted feelings towards his mentally ill mother, torn between the desire to escape and an unalterable bond of love.

Walk Away Renee chronicles Caouette's journey with his mother as they travel from Texas to New York. Theirs is not a simple mother-son relationship. The narrative delves into Renee’s mental health that has been constantly deteriorating ever since a lithium overdose caused severe brain damage when Jonathan was a child. Renee's worsening condition, her frequent psychotic outbursts, takes the center stage compelling viewers to empathize grandly. The road trip sets the backdrop of their life, a mirror reflecting the instability, longing, and unconditional love.

Their narrative is crafted with an intricate mix of candid moments of their journey and their past experiences disclosed through home videos. Their personal and gripping journey is interspersed with dreamy, often surreal segments, adding a layer of emotive depth, while casting an alternate lens on the harsh reality. These dream-like montages are an attempt by the filmmaker to represent his mother’s state of mind, providing an empathetic context to her disoriented world. Jonathan's style, a thoughtful blend of abstract art and grounded, touching memoir, can make the audience feel both discomforted and connected.

The film also brings into the light not just the dynamics between a mother and son, but also the complexity in relationships beyond normative structures. It offers a glimpse into Jonathan’s relationship with his partner, David, and his son, Joshua. The element of self-reflection is prominent as he grapples with his family circumstances and personal identity, adding a nuanced layer on top of the mental illness theme.

Jonathan Caouette, besides being the director, serves as the narrator. His narrative voice is heartfelt and poignant throughout. His choice of shots, dialogues, and snippets from their past construct a poignant portrayal of his mother, Renee. Her vibrant personality comes alive through his story-telling which adds layers of humanity, sensitivity, and respect for Renee.

Adding to the strong narrative, Renee Leblanc’s performance stands out, her vulnerability and strength shining through. Adolph Davis also offers a substantial contribution as Joshua, Jonathan's sensitive and supportive partner.

Walk Away Renee’s soundtrack, lyrical and starkly affecting, resonates with the mood of the film, from tranquil serenity to startling chaos. Similarly, the visual style of the film varies from clear, crisp shots illuminating their feelings to raw, grainy footage, encompassing the flux in their lives. The film gracefully uses mixed media techniques, blurring the lines between reality, memory, and perception, a homage to the fragility and beauty of the human mind.

In essence, Walk Away Renee stands as an emblem of love and resilience. It's a film about mental illness, yes, but it's also more than that. The movie leaves a lasting impression, not only because it’s about a struggle with mental health, but also for its honest depiction of pain, love, and perseverance. A film that invites the audience to walk with them, to understand and feel their journey. It brings a deep, heartfelt human story, reminding us of the nuances, struggles, and complexities that underpin the relationships around us. This movie presents a touching, poignant vision of a mother and son wrestling with harsh realities while holding steadfast to one another.