Without Question, One of My Favorite Performances of the Year

Read Time:2 Minute, 36 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Other Tom (El otro Tom)
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 51m
Director(s): Rodrigo Plá, Laura Santullo
Writer(s): Rodrigo Plá, Laura Santullo
Cast: Israel Rodríguez Bertorelli, Julia Chávez
Where To Watch: Cinema Village New York on October 14, 2022

RAVING REVIEW: A film that delivers riveting performances and mirrors the real-life struggles of how to handle medication for mental disorders.

Originally I had this as an addition at the end of my review, but I feel it’s more important to point it out at the beginning. I am 100% on board with the use of medication to help mental disorders; please do not try and twist my words to make it seem like I am not. My concern is the correct usage and dosage of medications.

While this isn’t a documentary, it could nearly serve the same purpose in bringing attention to an ever-growing plight. Too often, medication is blindly thrown at mental illness instead of being used to solve the problem. I’ve seen first-hand how carelessly some doctors use this solution and how terrifying it can be to a parent or guardian.

Julia Chávez (Elena) gives what I would consider an Oscar-caliber performance in a role that had to be incredibly taxing. A genuine look at a parent's struggle to help their child by medicating them or riding a fine line of over medicating them. I found so much compelling about the film's narrative style and allowing the burnt-out lifestyle to show through. Rodrigo Plá and Laura Santullo co-wrote and co-directed the film, and they also are real-life co-parents, and it shows through this script and the film's emphasis on making the right choices for the child.

Many of the topics in this film are often glossed over to focus on the “cure” in other films. Instead, we see a deep dive into the struggle of both parent and child. The key focus here is the fault in the medical system that tries to throw a band-aid on a more significant problem. Some viewers will blame Chávez’s character and say that her life would be better if she just gave in to demands and threw medications at the issue.

I applaud the film makes, as well as the cast, for taking this story and giving it the attention that it deserves. I hope that the performances within make many people uncomfortable and maybe help to make a few more question the difference between the easy solution and the proper solution.

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