All My Puny Sorrows
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moving, heavy drama about suicide has some sex, language.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Diverse Representations
All the main characters are White. There's a Black hospital psychiatrist, and Elf's husband has brown skin and dark hair. No differences besides mental health are represented.
Inclusion information: Bisexual actors
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All My Puny Sorrows
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What's the Story?
ALL MY PUNY SORROWS is the story of two sisters in their 30s. Yoli (Alison Pill) is a mother to 16-year-old Nora and a struggling novelist. Elf (Sarah Gadon) is a famous concert pianist who wants to die. The story begins with Elf in the hospital after she was found and saved, against her wishes, by her mother, Lottie. Yoli comes to visit Elf in the hospital, and the two spend a lot of time talking about life, pain, and Elf's desire to go to a clinic in Switzerland where she can end her life with dignity. They also remember their lives growing up together and shared tragedies like their father's suicide. Elf seems to be getting better and is released from the hospital to resume her regular life. But Yoli is sure it's too soon, and that Elf is only pretending to feel better.
Is It Any Good?
This is a quiet, moving, and emotionally intense movie that takes on the difficult subject of suicide. All My Puny Sorrows treats the subjects, and its characters, with compassion and warmth, and sometimes gentle humor, too. The strong acting creates a solid foundation for exploring life, pain, death, sisterhood, art, literature, and so much more. Some of the events are a little confusing to place when you're sometimes not sure if it's a flashback or not. And while most of them are moving and lovely, some of the scenes of Elf and Yoli talking in the hospital go on a bit too long, or seem to repeat ground that's already been covered.
There's only one teen character, so appeal may be limited, but it will inspire empathy for people who struggle with day-to-day living. Mature viewers who won't be triggered by the subject, and who can handle the mature themes, will find a lot of food for thought about whether and when a person can decide to end their life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how All My Puny Sorrows deals with suicide. It can be hard to talk about. Did the movie change any ideas you had about it? Have you ever thought about it, or do you know someone who has? What would help you, or how can you help someone else?
What about Elf's mental health? How does the movie portray her thoughts, her treatment, and its effects on her loved ones?
What about the strong language? Is it too much? Is it realistic, and does that make a difference?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: May 3, 2022
- Cast: Alison Pill, Sarah Gadon, Mare Winningham, AmyBeth McNulty
- Director: Michael McGowan
- Inclusion Information: Bisexual actors
- Studio: Momentum Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language and brief sexuality
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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