Faithful is a 2018 independent drama film that tells the story of a young woman named Faith, who is struggling with addiction and the loss of her mother. The film stars Dolby Zaccarelli as Faith, Samia Merritt as her best friend, Robert J. Morgalo as her sponsor, and Liz Priestley as her deceased mother. The film opens with Faith waking up in a hospital after a drug overdose. Her best friend, Liz, is by her side, but Faith is distant and unresponsive. She is then sent to a rehab facility, where she meets her sponsor, Robert. At first, Faith is resistant to the program, but eventually, she starts to open up and share her story.
As Faith progresses through rehab, the film explores her relationship with her mother, who died of cancer when Faith was a child. Through flashbacks and memories, we see the depth of their connection, and how important her mother was to her. We also see how her mother's passing led to Faith's addiction- she turned to drugs to numb the pain.
The film does a great job of exploring the complexities of addiction, and how it affects not only the addict but everyone around them. We see the strain it puts on Faith's relationships, from her estranged father to her best friend Liz. We also see the impact it has on her own self-worth and mental health.
One of the strongest aspects of Faithful is the performances. Dolby Zaccarelli is excellent as Faith, capturing the various facets of addiction - from the highs to the lows. She carries the film with an emotional and nuanced performance, and showcases a vulnerability that is heart-wrenching to watch. Samia Merritt is also great as her best friend, providing a grounded and relatable presence.
Robert J. Morgalo is also impressive as Faith's sponsor. He brings a gravitas to the role, highlighting the difficulties that come with rehab, and how important it is to have a support system. Lastly, Liz Priestley is a standout in the flashback scenes, playing Faith's mother with warmth, love, and tenderness.
The film tackles addiction in a frank and honest way, showing both the ugliness and beauty of the process. It's clear that the filmmakers did their research, as the portrayal of rehab and twelve-step programs feels authentic and well-informed. The film also uses music effectively, with a haunting score that adds to the emotional intensity of the story.
However, the film is not without its flaws. At times, the pacing feels slow, and the transitions between the flashback scenes and present-day can feel abrupt. There are also some moments where the dialogue feels stilted or forced, particularly in the rehab scenes.
Overall, Faithful is a powerful and moving film that shines a light on the difficult journey of addiction and recovery. Its honest portrayal of mental health and trauma is refreshing, and the performances from the cast are excellent. While not a perfect film, it's a compelling and worthwhile watch that is sure to resonate with those who have experienced addiction or loss.
Faithful is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 14 minutes.
