Parents' Guide to Lusala

This drama is short and performed dutifully but lacks that extra bit of depth that a lengthier piece might have afforded. For some, it might feel that Lusala is missing an act or some other chapter that would help contextualize or deepen its main character. But instead, the film presents a straightforward structure of introduction, opposition, conflict, and resolution, with characters fitting nicely into each phase. Similarly, the overall plot is a bit basic and, for some, could be even further limiting in how it presents victimhood. To be clear, a boy is abused, he escapes but is traumatized by his experience, "goes crazy" because of it, and then just "recovers" back at home, unable to do anything but cry in the arms of his adoptive parents and family.

The best part, though, perhaps, surprisingly, is the last part, wherein things start to go really off the rails for Lusala. On one hand, this turn or quasi-twist/reveal is a bit jarring, because tonally it doesn't match with what has come before it, but on the other hand, the last act is the most fascinating part, where it finally feels like anything can happen. It doesn't, but at least it feels like something can happen in those all too briefest of moments.