A Surreal Journey Through Loss

Read Time:3 Minute, 50 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Booger
–

Genre: Horror, Comedy, Fantasy
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 18m
Director(s): Mary Dauterman
Writer(s): Mary Dauterman
Cast: Grace Glowicki, Garrick Bernard, Heather Matarazzo, Marcia DeBonis, Sofia Dobrushin
Where To Watch: in select theaters and nationwide on digital platforms and VOD on September 13, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: In her first foray into feature-length filmmaking, Mary Dauterman picks BOOGER as her project (sorry, I had to.) This film cleverly intertwines dark humor with the nuances of psychological drama and a touch of body horror. It follows the troubling transformation of Anna, portrayed by Grace Glowicki, whose mourning for her deceased friend Izzy (Sofia Dobrushin) propels her into bizarre behavioral shifts reminiscent of a house cat. This narrative fusion transforms the mundane into a profound exploration of grief’s eccentricities.

Dauterman crafts a visual narrative that effectively captures Anna's isolation within her gloomy apartment, which serves as the main stage for her psychological unraveling. The director employs tightly composed shots and subdued lighting to emphasize the film’s claustrophobic atmosphere, juxtaposed sharply with the upbeat notes of "The Piña Colada Song" (how am I just finding out that Jimmy Buffet didn’t sing this song???) This contrast highlights the thematic elements of nostalgia versus despair and enhances the film’s darker, more surreal moments.

Throughout BOOGER, Anna’s metamorphosis is portrayed with a refined subtlety that skirts the edges of outright horror, focusing instead on the psychological toll of her grief. Her engagement in feline antics, from the grotesque to the absurdly comedic, is depicted with a darkly humorous lens, underscoring her mental state's profound absurdity and tragedy. These sequences provide a stark reflection on the deeper themes of identity and loss.

At just 78 minutes, BOOGER sometimes struggles to maintain narrative momentum, especially during segments that linger on Anna’s transformation, which, while visually compelling, occasionally detract from potential deeper psychological exploration. Despite these moments, the film does not lose sight of its emotional core, anchored solidly by Glowicki’s performance. Her portrayal of Anna’s disconnect from reality, enriched by vivid flashbacks of her life before Izzy’s death, offers a poignant contrast that deepens the character’s emotional journey.

The ensemble cast perfectly contrasts the narrative with Garrick Bernard, Anna’s boyfriend, Max, and Marcia DeBonis' portrayal of Izzy’s mother, Joyce. Their personal grief narratives parallel Anna’s, providing a broader context for the film’s exploration of loss. Though brief, Heather Matarazzo’s cameo as Ellen, the quirky shelter worker, injects a welcome levity into the sad storyline.

The film’s cinematography and sound design play crucial roles in amplifying Anna's journey's dreamlike, often nightmarish quality. Strategic lighting and color transform ordinary settings into a visual representation of Anna’s distorted reality, enhancing the film’s eerie atmosphere. It’s hard to categorize a movie that defies, at times, intentional definition.

BOOGER stands out as a daring and unconventional examination of grief, cleverly wrapped in a genre-blending package that challenges viewers to confront the complex aftermath of loss. While the film could benefit from a tighter narrative, it remains a compelling piece, showcasing Dauterman’s capacity to meld complex emotional themes with unique stylistic elements. It leaves a lasting impression, encouraging viewers to ponder grief's enduring, sometimes bizarre effects long after the story concludes.

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[photo courtesy of DARK SKY FILMS]

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