In “Matt and Mara,” Canadian writer-director Kazik Radwanski explores whether two neurotic writers can navigate the tricky waters of friendship, punctuated by anxious social dynamics. Thirty-five years after the release of “When Harry Met Sally…,” which questioned whether men and women could remain just friends, this film revisits the theme, now woven with a tense modern edge.
Radwanski’s fourth feature presents an unsettling relationship drama, capturing the essence of volatile friendships. It stars Deragh Campbell and Matt Johnson, who previously collaborated with Radwanski in his 2019 film, “Anne at 13,000 Ft.” Their performances bring a raw, unnerving intimacy that challenges the boundaries of comfort between characters whose familiarity teeters between excessive and inadequate.
The film, part of this year’s Berlinale Encounters competition, harks back to the mumblecore era of North American indie filmmaking. Despite its echoes of a past genre, “Matt and Mara” stands out with a fresh take on improvisation. Radwanski’s script demands the audience’s engagement, offering little backstory on the titular characters, inviting viewers to piece together their shared history. Mara, portrayed by Campbell, is a creative writing professor at a Toronto university. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Matt, played by Johnson, unexpectedly disrupts one of her classes, revealing a history that is both simple and layered with complexity.
Matt’s character, a cocksure celebrity in the New York literary world, contrasts with Mara, whose life is restrained not only by her academic path but also by a seemingly loveless marriage with her husband Samir, a musician who seems distant from Mara’s emotional landscape. The arrival of Matt rekindles Mara’s dormant aspirations and the vibrancy she associates with her past. When mistaken for a couple by a stranger, Mara embraces the misconception, longing for the excitement Matt injects into her life and the escape from her mundane reality.
The film probes whether their initial separation was due to mere circumstance or deeper, personal reasons. As their interactions grow, so do the complexities of their relationship, challenging platonic boundaries. The tumultuous chemistry between Campbell and Johnson skillfully reveals the characters’ vulnerabilities and age-old hang-ups. Matt’s charm and Mara’s introspection combine to complicate their rekindled friendship, as Radwanski keeps the narrative tense and unpredictable, letting human nature take center stage.
“Matt and Mara” is not a story where viewers root for the characters to unite romantically. Instead, it offers a candid observation of human relationships often tempered by ulterior motives and unspoken desires. Radwanski employs a minimalist style, maintaining tension through focused storytelling rather than elaborate incidents. The camera work, led by Nikolay Michaylov, adds to the film’s intimacy, capturing close-ups that intensify the emotional impact of seemingly trivial interactions.
“Matt and Mara” delves into the intricate dance of friendship and attraction, all within a brisk 80-minute exploration that challenges viewers’ perceptions of platonic bonds. While it may not provide easy answers, this relationship drama holds an unyielding grip on its audience, compelling them to reflect on the nuances of human connection long after the screen goes dark.
Source: Yahoo
