The Mend (2014)

The Mend Poster

Mat and Alan, estranged brothers, reunite just before Alan leaves for a vacation with his girlfriend. When he returns sooner than expected without his girlfriend, Alan finds Mat and his family have moved into his apartment.

Introduction to "The Mend"
"The Mend", a movie from 2014 directed by John Magary, is an American comedy-drama that unfolds the rough characteristics of familial and romantic relationships. The movie is a gritty, sometimes darkly comedic take a look at 2 dysfunctional siblings browsing through their troubled lives and fractured relationships. With its distinct narrative design and raw, unfiltered technique, "The Mend" has garnered attention for its strong storytelling and compelling character development.

Plot Overview
The story focuses on Mat (played by Josh Lucas) and Alan (played by Stephen Plunkett), two separated brothers who could not be more various from each other. Mat is a caustic and reckless drifter, characterized by his propensity to mooch off others and an outright neglect for social norms. On the other hand, Alan is more standard and reserved-- living an apparently organized life with his girlfriend Farrah (played by Mickey Sumner).

The movie starts with Mat crashing a party at Alan's apartment in New York, which Alan is reluctantly hosting for Farrah's buddies. The party unfolds chaotically, showcasing the first glance into the siblings' inefficient relationship as tensions run high. After the party ends, Alan and Farrah depart for a planned trip, and Mat, left alone in the apartment, seizes the chance to squat there. Remarkably, Alan returns home alone to find Mat has taken up residency in his absence.

What follows is a stretch of time where the siblings are forced to face their buried complaints, along with their specific failings and drawbacks. The movie delves into Mat's complex relationship with his girlfriend Andrea (played by Lucy Owen) and Alan's struggling relationship with Farrah. As the brothers attempt to coexist in the cramped New York home, the friction in between them exposes the deep rifts not only in their relationship with each other but likewise in their individual lives.

Styles and Style
The film is significant for its raw and reasonable representation of contemporary life and relationships. Director John Magary employs a special storytelling technique that feels both disjointed and intimate, showing the mayhem and unpredictability of the brothers' way of lives. The dialogue is often sharp and quick-witted, offering a darkly comedic undertone to the story.

"The Mend" deals with styles of familial obligation, individuality, and the pursuit of happiness. It provides a naturalistic representation of the human condition, checking out how individuals can end up being lost in the pursuit of their desires, causing self-destructive habits. The characters are all flawed in deeply human methods, making the movie a study of flaw and redemption.

Performances and Critical Reception
The efficiencies in "The Mend", particularly that of Josh Lucas as Mat, are commonly considered as strong. Lucas brings a layer of complexity to his character, making Mat both detestable and engaging at the same time. Stephen Plunkett's portrayal of Alan provides a more controlled but equally impactful efficiency.

Upon its release, "The Mend" received positive evaluations from critics, who praised its unflinching sincerity and inventive narrative structure. The movie interested audiences looking for a more cerebral and unique cinematic experience, different from mainstream Hollywood fare.

Conclusion
In general, "The Mend" is a movie that sticks out for its vibrant character assessment and its refusal to comply with traditional storytelling. Its representation of two brothers having a hard time to understand their troubled lives strikes home with audiences who appreciate an authentic take a look at human relationships. The movie doesn't avoid discomfort, looking for instead to accept and dissect the mayhem that dwells within family ties and life's unanticipated turns.

Top Cast

  • Josh Lucas (small)
    Josh Lucas
    Mat
  • Stephen Plunkett (small)
    Stephen Plunkett
    Alan
  • Lucy Owen (small)
    Lucy Owen
    Andrea
  • Mickey Sumner (small)
    Mickey Sumner
    Farrah
  • Austin Pendleton (small)
    Austin Pendleton
    Earl
  • Cory Nichols (small)
    Cory Nichols
    Ronnie
  • Sekou Laidlow (small)
    Sekou Laidlow
    Pierce
  • Louisa Krause (small)
    Louisa Krause
    Elinor
  • Leo Fitzpatrick (small)
    Leo Fitzpatrick
    Michael
  • Sarah Steele (small)
    Sarah Steele
    Sarah
  • Rebecca Henderson (small)
    Rebecca Henderson
    David