ALL MY PUNY SORROWS MEASURES UP @TIFF2021

The best thing about the Toronto International Film Festival is when a film surprises you and reaches your heart. All My Puny Sorrows from Toronto-born director Michael McGowan is that film. Adapted by Miriam Toew’s novel about the relationship between two sisters and their immediate family is captivating. They carry on the Von Reissen name after leaving the Mennonite community after the death of their patriarch.

Alison Pill plays Yoli who is a writer going through a tough divorce and raising her daughter Nora played by Amybeth McNulty. Despite being snarky and curt with her family she is the heart and soul of the Von Reissens. She cares much for her sister Elf who is played by Sarah Gadon. A successful concert pianist who suffers greatly with depression. The rest of her love funnels to her stubborn mother Lottie played by Mare Winningham and her aunt Tina played by Mimi Kuzyk.

Yoli returns back to her hometown of Winnipeg where her sister Elf has recently tried to commit suicide. Elf is in recovery and tells her sister of how she wants to be euthanized in Switzerland. Yoli plays around with the idea that she will take her but at the same token trying to tell that there is much to live for. Yoli has always worked in the shadows of her sister Elf as she has been more successful in her aspirations. Yet Elf feels feels like it time to the pull the plug on her own life The audience sees their unconditional love for each other through their love of books. As they quote authors like D.H. Lawrence and Philip Larkin.

Far different from the manner of confronting mental illness through song and dance as in Dear Evan Hansen, All My Puny Sorrows registers more points for its minimal realistic approach. There is much going in the lives of these women of the Von Reissan clan. Having already going through the tragic and trauma of their father’s suicide, there are already build up emotions within all of them. Each and everyone of them dealing with their own battles of how to address them.

But when Yoli realizes that Elf’s goal is for real things start to fall apart emotionally for her. The strength and chemistry between both Alison Pill and Sarah Gadon make the film so profound in its course. The film locks your heart during its first chapters through these two. This is where director Michael McGowan sets you up so when your heart breaks, it is in a timely fashion.