No.314 : What They Had (2018)

What They Had at the IMDb

I listened to a good Nerdist podcast with Michael Shannon recently, and thought I’d have a look at what he’s been up to. He was aces in ‘Boardwalk Empire’ and in ‘The Shape of Water’ and clearly likes to keep himself busy. We have looked at two of his more recent endeavours over at the Definite Article blog in the shape of ‘The Quarry’ and ‘The Harvest’ with this 2018 film representing his latest ‘W’ offering. Can’t say he doesn’t provide for his audience!

The film is a family drama about the onset of Alzheimer's in the elderly mother. Don’t run away - at least that’s what they should have told the old girl who goes for a wander in the middle of the night in a Chicago snow storm.

Her husband Robert Forster calls his local bar owing son Michael Shannon who in turn calls the daughter Hilary Swank. They manage to find the old lady but realise that they have problems to address. Shannon wants the old bird moved into a home as he bears the brunt of looking after his agent parents and is struggling to cope. Forster and Swank however want her to stay at home. Catholic Forster is committed to his marriage and the vows he made. His children are less devout and fear telling dad that they have lapsed.

Of course everyone has to have their own issues so Swank is in a loveless marriage and has a wayward daughter who is dropping out of college and Shannon craves acceptance from his Dad who doesn’t like his life choices. A right old barrel of laughs then!

In truth there are plenty of wry moments, usually from the forgetful mother who starts hitting on her son and tries to answer a stapler when the phone rings. As the family bump together over the Christmas holidays some home truths are aired and everyone grows somewhat, as Mum’s fate is decided.

I liked this film despite it being a ‘problem people’ cookie cutter special. Blyth Danner did well as the bewildered Mum although a lot of her escapades seemed a bit unlikely and scripted. There was no self fouling or losing her bus pass just little comedy moments where we could  sympathise and empathise all at once. Swank was good was the daughter although she seems a bit fit and focused to be the mess she was portraying. She did however have a funny sequence where she awkwardly flirts with a builder whilst wearing her mother’s blouse and drinking Scotch.

Shannon was also worth the ticket as the son, although his redemption was probably the slightest, with his Dad drinking at his bar his only win - hope he left a tip.Forster, in one of his last performances, was excellent as the struggling husband unable to keep a grasp of his true love as she faded away.

Overall a difficult subject was explored with humour and warmth and, although you may come away thinking it worked out a bit pat, at least it wasn't two hours of shouting at the man in the tree whilst wearing a nappy. Maybe that's being saved for the sequel.

Best Bit : Hilary works the builder  ‘W’ Rating  17/23