Directed by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, written by Kelly O’Sullivan, Callie and Minnie’s relationship is suddenly upended at the start of the summer before their senior year of high school. Left rudderless without her charismatic best friend, Minnie starts to form a complicated friendship with Callie’s mother. Starring: Sophie Okonedo, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, Chloe Coleman, David Hyde Pierce, Tara Mallen, Iman Vellani, Beck Nolan and Addisyn Grace Cain.
With the incredibly promising Saint Frances followed up with the emotional tour-de-force of Ghostlight, Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson had a lot to live up to with their third feature Mouse and they did not disappoint. O’Sullivan and Thompson are becoming genuine masters of humble cinema. The way that they’re able to tell this heart-breaking story in a way which is funny, smart, deeply moving, sad and clumsy at all the right times in all the right ways, is genuinely impressive and creates such a wonderful experience.
It’s so inescapably human, it’s able to exist within a truly authentic reality, in a very difficult time, while finding the good in people, along with their flaws. It’s hard to do it justice by simply describing its atmosphere, you really need to see it to get the full impact, but the kindness, compassion and sheer sincerity which emanate from Mouse are exceptional. It manages to capture the vast emotional weight of this story without ever becoming heavy or overwhelming. Something that’s well complemented by the score from Hamilton Leithauser which has such a terrific lightness, making for a great contrast with the film’s deep sadness.
The emotional balance of Mouse is something which is also beautifully captured by the cinematography from Nate Hurtsellers. It’s wholesome, nostalgic, youthful and warm, the way that the film moves is effortlessly charming and honest. It flows so naturally, it’s easy to be swept up in it, making it so easy for O’Sullivan and Thompson to really strike right to the heart with each moment of conflict, vulnerability and the intense waves of grief. The ease with which they connect with their audience is extraordinary.
A big part of that is the choices that they make for the tone and progression of the story. They shy away from traditional conflict and expected scenes, the louder expressions of loss, and instead choose to exist within a poignant quietness. It’s refined and humble, and so perfectly captures how difficult it already is to be a teenager in normal circumstances, so to then have such a big piece of yourself, as your best friend, taken away, challenges your entire existence. While losing your child creates a parallel experience but in an astronomically deeper way. So, to watch Minnie (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) and Helen (Sophie Okonedo) both try to battle through that crushing grief is incredibly moving, empathetic and vulnerable.
Not least because the performances from Sophie Okonedo and Katherine Mallen Kupferer are unbelievably stunning. It’s of course no surprise given the supreme talent of Okonedo, but the way that she’s able to craft a character who has such warmth and generosity during such a horrific time, while also capturing the brokenness and unfathomable pain which lies beneath the surface is heartrending and phenomenal. While her connection with Minnie is definitely the focus here, it has to be said that to see her onscreen alongside Tara Mallen, as Minnie’s mother Barbara is a joy. Even if brief, the emotional connection they share in one key scene is so witty, frank, messy, deeply heartfelt and open.
It’s also lovely to see real life mother-daughter duo Mallen and Kupferer again playing mother-daughter on the screen following Ghostlight. The rocky, distant relationship that they have is one of many ways in which Mouse feels like a grief-driven cousin to Lady Bird. Kupferer makes Minnie feel so utterly real, which helps those emotional notes hit even harder. She brings out a compelling naivety, and to see her so desperate for Helen’s approval is heart-breaking to watch. She also has a fantastic chemistry with Iman Vellani, their connection is adorable, and putting the two of them together was such a great piece of casting. It would be hugely enjoyable to continue watching these two stumble through their final teen years together. You also can’t forget to mention Chloe Coleman who is wonderful as Callie.
Mouse unequivocally demonstrates that Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson are going from strength to strength with each new film. The sensitivity, thoughtfulness and depth that they manage to instil in this film is extraordinary. It manages to keep its feet so solidly on the ground, have a sense of humour, and hit sincerely striking emotional notes while also never losing itself in the heaviness of the loss.
The whole cast is exceptional, Sophie Okonedo is gloriously compelling in this role, it’s a beautiful thing to watch and Katherine Mallen Kupferer does so well to match that authenticity, together they are a powerful duo. They’re then supported by a terrific ensemble, Tara Mallen, David Hyde Pierce and Iman Vellani are particular highlights, but it feels like everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. It’s incredibly moving, funny, charming, real and honest, O’Sullivan and Thompson well and truly knocked it out of the park, it’s one of the best films you’ll see this year.
