Surviving Family is a 2012 drama movie directed by Mara Lesemann. The story is centered on two siblings who have a difficult time coping with the death of their mother, on whom they relied greatly. Sarah Wilson plays the role of Lauren Rosen, a young lawyer who has recently lost her mother. She is in a vulnerable state, finding it hard to come to terms with her mother's death and manage her own life.
Billy Magnussen plays the role of her brother, Danny Rosen, who moves back home after dropping out of college. He is unable to sustain himself due to various personal issues, one of which is his drug addiction. Tara Westwood plays the role of their aunt, Diane, who supports Lauren and Danny throughout their grieving stage.
The movie takes place several months after the mother's death. Lauren is struggling with her job and personal life, while Danny still indulges in drugs and alcohol, making it hard for Lauren to trust him. Lauren finds out that they are all in danger of losing their home because of the mortgage payments that had not been made. Together, they decide to sell their family home so that they can pay off the mortgage and avoid losing it altogether.
Throughout the film, the audience discovers the intricacies of this family's dynamics. Lauren is tasked with clearing out the family home, which leads her to opening up old wounds and rediscovering memories that have been buried. The family home is an essential character in the film, containing treasured memories of moments shared by the family.
The movie explores various themes like family, grief, addiction, and the assimilation of memories. It is an incredibly emotional journey, as the characters' grief and pain is palpable. The director has done a fantastic job in showcasing the human experience and the different stages of grief.
The cinematography of the movie is breathtaking, with beautiful shots of the family home and the scenic outdoors. The lighting in the film further adds to the melancholic mood, with soft tones of yellow and orange capturing the warmness of happier times.
The cast of Surviving Family delivers an astounding performance, especially Sarah Wilson, who carries the weight of the movie on her shoulders. Her performance is raw and authentic, showing the audience the true nature of grief's emotional drain. Billy Magnussen does a superb job in depicting the agony of addiction and how it can consume one's life.
The interaction between the siblings is an integral part of the movie as it shows how finding solace with one another can help them through the struggles of dealing with their mother's death. Tara Westwood's role as their aunt brings a sense of balance to the movie, as her presence serves as a reminder of what they have lost, yet gives them the motivation to keep going.
Overall, Surviving Family is a subtle yet powerful movie that takes the audience on an emotional journey through the different stages of grief. The movie is a reminder that sometimes, the only way to get through tough times is by relying on the people closest to us.
Surviving Family is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.
