At the end of this paragraph you will find a trailer of Tuesday, the feature debut of writer-director Daina O. Pusić. It's pretty good. It's interesting and gets some very important things across from this obviously emotional story right. It stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the terrified mother of a terminally ill teenager whose death itself is coming to get her. Instead of appearing as the typical Grim Reaper, here Death is a talking bird that can change its size. And yet, while not misleading in any way, this trailer isn't really an accurate representation of the film. Tuesday is a poignant and poignant story that is much more original, wonderfully strange, and utterly captivating than it appears.
A24 describes his latest film as “a heartbreaking fairy tale about the echoes of loss and the search for resilience in the unexpected.” This comes much closer to capturing the essence of this film than its trailer, because it certainly has major elements of traditional fairy tales. The weird, dark, disturbing and morbidly funny stuff comes through without any sanitisation. This movie doesn't stop its story naturally where it wants to. It's refreshingly free to do its own thing. But it's less about the “echoes of loss” and more about the actual process of dying, saying goodbye to those we love and accepting that death is an inevitable and necessary part of life.
That alone makes it stand out from the sea of modern stories that only want to focus on grief and loss after death. What really makes it stand out is everything else. Tuesday it's really weird in ways you don't even hint at until you're looking. So much so that I expect some viewers will find it totally inaccessible or too weird to connect with. Others will also consider it too slow. I am none of those people. It's certainly methodical, but it's also fascinating. And while its trailer makes it look like it could be maudlin, it's anything but. Tuesday earn every emotion it brings out of you.
Some of these feelings are heartbreaking, no doubt, but they are also filled with joy, wisdom, and even laughter. How and when these laughs are made is one of their most impressive aspects. Tuesday manages to be funny even during scenes that don't seem tonally the way they should be. It is truly something to behold. Somehow, the film blends different genres, styles, and tones so seamlessly that it essentially exists as its own, entirely unique film. If you are looking for something “different” or “new”, Pusić has provided exactly that along with some very nice visuals, interesting points of view and camera movements.
A great reason Tuesday What feels so different is his approach to Death, who is an otherworldly figure, pained and lonely tormented by his endless task and the voices he hears calling for him. Voiced by Arinzé Kene, this winged creature is no mere omen or symbol. He is a fully developed, fascinating and fully dynamic character that offers both gravitas and incredible comedy. (I won't spoil any of his funniest moments, but if I did a lot of his moments would seem really silly out of context. In the movie, though, they all fit together perfectly. Like I said, Tuesday he hums on his own wavelength to do something different but beautiful.)
Dreyfus is also incredible as a mother unable to cope with her daughter's impending death. Like the film itself, which feels real and authentic even when it gets really weird, Dreyfus' Zora is honest and grounded no matter what she has to do. And he does a lot of weird things and very flawed human things too! He gives a truly moving performance that exceeds even the best expectations for someone so talented, because his work is so much tougher and more nuanced than expected.
The same goes for his fantastic young co-star, Lola Petticrew. His Tuesday is fully realized and helps keep the film centered and focused. She is mature beyond her years, but still very much a child. She is the backbone of the film and even a slightly lesser performance would have hurt the film.
With more time and more views I hope I like them Tuesday even more, but not much more for how much I already make. I didn't get the trailer movie. I got something even better, weirder, beautiful, unique and memorable.
