Parting Glass (The)

This is ensemble acting at its very best.

The is the Stephen Moyer's directorial debut...rest assured, Mr Moyer, this may be your first...but, certainly not your last.

The writing, Denis O'Hare's catharsis...autobiographical, flinching yet unflinching, fuelled by emotion...and, as slow-burning and scarring...as grief itself.

This a a mature film held together by mature performances...Ed Asner asserts himself - with poise - as the head of the family - as each member reflects back into happier times with their sometimes bubbling 'nut-job' of a sister. Anna Paquin's scenes are as ethereal as her happiness...to his credit, Moyer refuses to give Ms Paquin's face the screen-time it [so] deserves...she's not there, their baby-sister has gone...faces fade, memories fade, each will remember something different...and, Ms Paquin gives to each, something different.

It's so tender [at times], it's so sad [most of the time]...then, there's the anger, there's the denial...the collateral damage that follows suicide...The Parting Glass is the fallout.

No question, this is a difficult film to watch...simply, because...it's so damn truthful. And, sometimes [most of the times], the truth hurts.

Let your tears run freely.

Trailer...