SIFF 2023 | Movie Review: "The Mattachine Family" Is A Touching Story About The Ups And Downs of Love And Life
12/12 ForReel Score | 5/5 Stars
It has been a very long time since a film has resonated with me as strongly as The Mattachine Family did. After all, Thomas, the main character played by Nico Tortorella, and I have a number of things in common. Besides bearing the same first name, we also share a love for photography and an enduring commitment to a same-sex spouse. And, more relevantly to the story at hand, I can relate with Thomas’s initial reservations about fatherhood.
Image courtesy of SIFF
But people can grow, change, and learn new things about what they want out of life, and this is one of the many compelling aspects of The Mattachine Family that make it such a touching film. Although I feel exceptionally attached to Thomas’s interests and circumstances, the story that writer Danny Vallentine and director Andy Vallentine (husbands whose real life experiences craft the foundation of the film) offer in this film is one that many people can connect with on many levels. The Mattachine Family is populated with a diverse set of characters, each with their own internal conflicts that play out over the course of the film, and it’s this relatable nature of the film - among many other exceptional qualities - that makes The Mattachine Family a standout feature selection for this year’s Seattle International Film Festival and one of the best queer films of the year.
Thomas and his husband Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace) have experienced parenthood through fostering a six year old child, Arthur. But when the foster system finds Arthur’s mother capable of raising him again, Thomas and Oscar are left with a hole in their lives. Although Oscar comes to terms with the situation and occupies himself with his work, Thomas realizes he longs to be a father again. The topic drives a wedge between the two as Thomas leans on his small, close circle of friends to help navigate this phase of his life.
Image courtesy of SIFF
This close circle of friends includes Jamie (Jake Choi, Please Baby Please), Sonia (Cloie Wyatt Taylor), and Leah (Emily Hampshire, Schitt’s Creek), and the chemistry between the group is undeniable. This is a collection of characters that fosters the kind of social group people aspire to have, and serve as a comfortable space for deep and meaningful conversations with Thomas. And that’s where so much of the value of the film exists: in deep and challenging conversations about how to tackle conflicts and uncertainty.
This makes sense, since the writing in the film is extremely strong; a quality that is evident from the very start of the film. The opening sequence features Tortorella narrating Thomas’s background in a gentle yet compelling manner. This narration, often serving as transitions throughout the film, is crafted as incredible prose and delivered in the most affecting manner. It’s clear so much consideration and heart was poured into how The Mattachine Family is presented, resulting in a film that is an absolute joy to watch.
Image courtesy of SIFF
I’m confident this is a film my heart will swell over every time I watch it because, like the relationships depicted, the movie itself comes together so wonderfully. The fabric of this film is laced with hope and optimism, bolstered by the feelings of joy and inspiration it elicits even despite the moments of disappointment and despair that characters have to navigate. Life, as we know, is full of great expectations, uncomfortable uncertainty, ups, downs, laughs, tears, and truly unforgettable moments…just like everything The Mattachine Family has to offer audiences as a film.
The Mattachine Family is a remarkable reminder that life and love are both messy and magical, but that we can make the most of it and pursue what makes us happy in spite of the things that make us sad. Which is the exceptional thing about The Mattachine Family; that everyone can take away something special from this film. In a segment of narration, Thomas references Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day” and states: “I don’t know what’s going to happen. All I do know is that this is never really all there is. That the possibility of something more is wild and it’s precious. It’s life.” It’s a sweet and touching moment towards the end of the film that inspires reflection, particularly over experiencing this story. I laughed through it. I cried. I swelled with joy. And ever since, I have reminisced on how beautiful this movie is to me. I mean - with how much I adore this film, tell me, what else should I have done? If wild and precious was the aim, The Mattachine Family is spot on.
Acting/Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 2 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 2 | Reviewer’s Preference - 2 | What does this mean?