The way in which We Strangers begins lays the groundwork for a way the drama shall be exploring its highly effective themes. The directorial debut of Anu Valia, the film begins partway by means of the story, with cleaner Rayelle (Kirby Howelle-Baptiste) crossing paths with Jean (Maria Dizzia), the considerably eccentric neighbor of her newest consumer. Though their preliminary interplay is brief, it establishes a connection between the pair that may outline how the movie performs out.
Chopping backwards in time, it is revealed Rayelle has been employed by Neeraj Patel (Hari Dhillon), a health care provider in Gary, Indiana who needs her to scrub each his home and Jean’s. Whereas at her dwelling, Ray learns extra about Jean, particularly her infatuation with the religious airplane. Upon studying this, she decides to faux she will be able to commune with the lifeless. It is a lie that in a short time unspools right into a cleansing job not like any she’s ever had.
However past this comedy-drama film having a fascinating surface-level story, it additionally would not draw back from bringing its core themes to the forefront. We Strangers is a commentary on class dynamics and privilege, with potent symbolism drawn from actual experiences that bolsters the divide between these well-off, and those that should battle to outlive.
We Strangers’ Foremost Character Is Sympathetic & Simple To Root For
What makes We Strangers really easy to observe is simply how likable its protagonist is. Whereas Ray finds herself navigating a world of privilege due to her lie, she’s additionally proven taking good care of her children and different members of her household. An in depth relationship along with her mom is the strongest of the movie, with their optimistic relationship a relentless deal with onscreen.
Scenes along with her household emphasize how comfy and true to herself she could be when she’s not at work. However all that modifications when she’s at her cleansing jobs: she grows quiet and constrained, attempting to stability her work with each her lies and the apparent ire she has from being caught doing such labor. It would not assist that individuals like Neeraj and Jean’s friendliness would not at all times equate to helpfulness.
That is additional emphasised by how We Strangers explores the dynamics between Neeraj and Jean’s households by means of Ray’s perspective. Whereas every character has an vital function to play, Sarah Goldberg, finest identified for her function as Sally on the forged of Barry, was a standout as Neeraj’s spouse, Tracy. The way in which her and Howell-Baptiste have been displayed as foils to one another make their scenes collectively a number of the movie’s finest.
However Ray’s interactions with everybody exterior her household are an expertly-crafted show of how class dynamics separate her from the folks she’s working for. Solely by interesting to their beliefs and beliefs can she make any headway past being only a cleaner they employed. It makes for moments which might be each humorous and tense as she tries to stability how she’s presenting herself with the expectations others have about her so-called “powers.”
However therein lies the important thing issue of energy dynamics the film explores. The broader the net of Ray’s lies, the extra energy she positive aspects in some points of the lives of her shoppers. But there’s additionally nonetheless an underlying, constant reminder that they do not see her as an equal, nor as somebody extra highly effective than they’re. It makes Ray extra sympathetic as she finds herself equal components in servitude and of superiority.
The Visible Symbolism Of We Strangers Additional Bolsters Its Layered Themes
What actually makes We Strangers stand out, although, is the layered interweaving of genius symbolism and cinematography that furthers each its story and themes. There is a recurring visualization of a pure object that happens all through the movie, considerably splitting the film into totally different sections every time it exhibits up. It is a highly effective showcase of Ray’s evolution as her lie modifications her simply as a lot because it alters her relationship along with her shoppers.
As well as, the film makes unbelievable use of its camerawork, with gorgeous cinematography by Charlotte Hornsby and enhancing by James Codoyannis coming collectively in a masterful show. There is a surrealist high quality to the presentation that elevates Ray’s story, emphasised by cutaways and cut-betweens in numerous scenes. It provides a dreamlike facet to some components of the movie, a inventive styling that makes it stand out from similarly-themed films about class disparities.
However what actually makes We Strangers so highly effective is its real-world affect. Director Anu Valia’s childhood was some extent of inspiration for the film, one thing that exhibits in most of the genuine interactions between characters. There are a selection of conversations and occasions whose realism made me surprise the place the director’s experiences ended and the fictional parts of the story started.
This clear inspiration from real-world occasions is the cherry on prime of what makes We Strangers such a robust commentary on class and privilege. Wrapped collectively by an entertaining story and a compelling lead, the film is wise, attention-grabbing, and sincere about its core topics. Its phenomenal presentation makes this an unbelievable debut from Valia, and a rigorously symbolic look into vital divides inside fashionable society.
We Strangers is now accessible on VOD.
We Strangers
8/10
- Launch Date
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March 9, 2024
- Runtime
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80 Minutes
- Director
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Anu Valia
- Writers
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Anu Valia
- Producers
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Caroline Kaplan, Pleasure Jorgensen, Tina Moran, Sarah Goldberg, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Olivia Wingate, Emily Ruhl, Alex Bach, Miranda Kahn
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Sarah Goldberg
Mari Winters
- Compelling, life like performances, particularly from Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
- Potent commentary on class disparities that weaves completely with enthralling storytelling.
- Significant symbolism ties the movie’s core themes collectively.
- Anu Valia’s real-world affect could be credited for a way genuine the occasions really feel.