Happy Place is anything but, which is kind of the point. A collection of women at a mental health facility. We learn bits and pieces about why some of them are there. Samira (Clark Backo) is more of a mystery as to why she is there, though she is definitely troubled.
There is an intriguing intimacy in the characters, proverbially trapped in close quarters. They are dealing with their own trauma, the trauma of others, and getting on each other's nerves.
Mildred (Mary Walsh) is particular agitated, especially by Joyce (Sheila McCarthy). Joyce is the helpful one, the people pleaser. She is especially welcoming of Samira.
One by one, we learn more about why they are there: Celine (Marie-Eve Perron), Nina (Liisa Repo-Martell), Rosemary (Pamela Sinha), Louise (Tara Rosling), Krista (Jennifer Wigmore), Cheyenne (Jorja Cadence), and Zahra (Joanna Areti).
The film will remind of you of a play. Sinha, who plays Rosemary, wrote the original play and the screenplay for the film. If you asked me who should direct such a film, my first guess would be Helen Shaver. Turns out Shaver is the director. Not sure if anyone could have done this better.
While each character gets to tell their story, you might feel a little frustrated that the relatively minor characters exist without much incentive to comprehend their story until they tell that tale. This is a minor point but worth noting.
Dealing with films about suicide that could be triggering
Each of the characters who are the patients have had a suicide attempt. This may be triggering though the subject matter is handled well.
The film makes a contrast with the women who have been there for awhile versus Samira, who is brand new and doesn't say much in the beginning.
The actors need a safe space. The characters themselves don't have that safe space at times but the actors have that ideal setting to deliver solid performances.
If you are drawn to well-acted drama with a female cast, Happy Place won't make you happy but you will be entertained.
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Happy Place received 3 Canadian Screen Awards nominations. Mary Walsh won for Best Supporting Actress in the 2021 version. The film was nominated for costume design and hair.
Happy Place is available on CBC Gem in Canada.
video and photo credit: Happy Place
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