BLACKBIRD. US/Canada, 2019, Family drama about assisted suicide. Starring Susan Sarandon, Kate Winslet, Mia Wasikowska, Sam Neill, Rainn Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Anson Boon, Bex Taylor-Klaus. Directed by Roger Michell. 97 minutes. Rated M (Mature themes, drug use and coarse language)
In many countries around the world, and in various states in Australia, legislation has been introduced, and sometimes passed, concerning assisted suicide. Blackbird, then, is a very human drama about assisted suicide.
Opinions are divided about the morality, the ethics of assisted suicide. There are ongoing discussions, legal submissions, protests… In its way, Blackbird will contribute to the discussion and should be seen by those on each side of the debate. In many ways, it is easy to discuss moral issues in principle. On the other hand, the reality concerns people – those dying, those assisting, people whose lives are highly emotional. And that is the value of a story like this, which at various times does present arguments against, the moral issues are both principled and personalised.
Blackbird is an English-language adaptation by its author, Danish Christian Torpe, of his original, directed in Denmark by celebrated film-maker Bille August – the 2014 movie Stille hjerte (Silent Heart).
The film invites the audience to share a weekend with Lily (Sarandon) and Paul (Neill). Paul is a doctor, and his wife Lily is suffering from an increasingly debilitating illness with symptoms that sound like motor-neuron disease. Lily and her husband, along with her daughters and best friend, have planned how the assisted suicide will take place. And they are to have a weekend celebration of life before it.
Sarandon gives, and this is compliment, a very strong Susan Sarandon-like performance. After 50 years top lining films, she is still a force to be reckoned with. On the other hand, SNeill plays Paul, a rather quiet, supportive performance.
Much of the dramatics are provided by the two daughters. The older, Jennifer, is played by an almost unrecognisable Winslet. She is accompanied by her husband, the genial Michael (a different kind of role for comedian Wilson) and her son, Jonathan (Anson Boon), a rather quiet teenager. There is a contrast with the younger daughter, Anna (Mia Wasikowska), an emotionally unstable woman who is accompanied by her partner, Chris (Taylor-Klaus). The other member of the party is Lily’s lifelong friend, Liz (Duncan). And that is the cast – most of the action taking place within the family house with excursions along the beach.
As audience, we are drawn in by the characters. At first everything is genial and friendly, with a spirit of reunion, as they share meals and play charades. However, there is soon a clash between the sisters. Jennifer is a controller, while Anna, possibly bipolar, we learn has attempted suicide and spent time in an institution. An even stronger tension arises when Jennifer questions the friendship between Liz and Paul. And Lily Is shocked at Anna’s initial recriminations against her.
This family drama occurs in the context of the creation of a Christmas celebration. Michael and Jonathan go out to find a Christmas tree, Paul cooks a full Christmas dinner, while Lily has personalised gifts for everyone.
Differing opinions are given about the assisted suicide. The daughters want more time with their mother, but Lily, is strong in her declarations about her wish to die. She does not want to live with a continually deteriorating physical condition, and wants to leave the world at the time of her choice.
As said, this is a case study about assisted suicide, a story with a perspective, that those for and those against should experience as a fuller background for their ethical stance.
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Released 25 February
Peter Malone MSC is an associate Jesuit Media