The film, adapted from the novel, follows two Mennonite sisters—Yoli (Alison Pill), a writer dealing with divorce. And Elf (Sarah Gadon), a concert pianist who wants to end it all.
Yoli returns home after Elf’s attempted suicide. While trying to grapple with her sister’s want to die, she finds herself in one tragic situation after the next.
All My Puny Sorrows feels like one never-ending tragedy, with devastation around every corner. There is not one bit of happiness that slips through the cracks. While the film is rather depressing, it also feels all too real. Somehow, you’re left not with complete sadness but with an understanding of life.
I genuinely believe Alison Pill is one of the greatest actresses of our generation. Not only does she make the big moments seem believable, but also the small ones. Some nuances are so subtle they could seem insignificant, but she’s able to bring a sense of realness to them. This is what allows the viewer to grasp everything the character is feeling in that moment.
This is a heavy film with a dark subject matter. But it is handled with compassion and care. All My Puny Sorrows is realistic, tragic, and at times darkly humorous. It does run very slow and often feels a little dry. The spectacular performances from the cast keep the film steady, along with gorgeous cinematography that is truly captivating. I do feel like there were moments that went unexplained. Because of this, If you have not read the book, it could leave you lost and searching for answers.
Tiff 2021 Review: All My Puny Sorrows
Score
Review Nation Score
This is a heavy film with a dark subject matter. But it is handled with compassion and care. All My Puny Sorrows is realistic, tragic, and at times darkly humorous. It does run very slow and often feels a little dry. The spectacular performances from the cast keep the film steady, along with gorgeous cinematography that is truly captivating.
