Director: Casey Affleck
Writers: Casey Affleck
Stars: Casey Affleck, Anna Pniowsky
Synopsis: Parent and child journey through the outskirts of society a decade after a pandemic has wiped out half the world’s population. As a father struggles to protect his child, their bond, and the character of humanity, is tested.
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2019 has clearly been a year where we’ve had to grapple with some films from both the artistic perspective, but also a business point of view as well. Whether it’s Amazing Grace and the questionable timing of its release, or Leaving Neverland and how damaging it is to Michael Jackson if you choose to believe the subjects of that film, or the new Nate Parker film coming out later this year that Venice embraced for one reason or another, there’s been some films we’ve had to grapple with on those terms. And in a similar vein many may have to do the same with Casey Affleck and his latest directorial effort Light of My Life.
Light of My Life is set in some sort of dystopian future where a pandemic has wiped out all of the female population. However, Caleb (Casey Affleck) has a daughter Rag (Anna Pniowsky) who survived the plague and is now posing a young boy in public in an attempt to stay safe. They mostly live in the woods, though, which comes with its own hardships and adversity. As they travel north to what they hope is safe lodging, things are becoming testier and more troublesome for the both of them.
My first thought after seeing Light of My Life was actually Manchester By the Sea, a film that must have took a lot out of Affleck because here he once again plays a father, but this time one that is desperate to save his child at all costs. Quite the reversal there for him. That probably wasn’t his inpsiration, but I couldn’t help but think about the polarity between the two in terms of how deeply thorough and vigilant Caleb is in making sure that Rag is safe at every turn. Of course, what happened to Lee in Manchester By the Sea was just an accident, but Caleb wants to avoid that in any way he can, and actively prepares himself accordingly. And what Light of My Life suggests as it relates to the foundational love that exists between parent and child is thought-provoking and poignant.
The film’s pathos especially resonates thanks to Affleck’s David Lowery inspired direction. There are sprinkles of dramatic tension throughout, and I do love how and when Affleck decides to incorporate them, but the film mostly concerns itself with mood and meditation on its moral and ethical conflicts when it comes to its themes on parental responsibility, love, and what it means for a young woman to have her childhood stripped from her. It’s certainly reminiscent of last year’s Leave No Trace in that regard, but it’s also comparable to The Road and A Quiet Place given Light of My Life post-apocalyptic setting. Affleck also succeeds because of his approach to visual storytelling. There isn’t any conventional exposition, however, there are more than enough visual cues or organic lines of dialogue that it’s clear what’s going on in this world. Affleck doesn’t care to indulge in the details of what created it, instead it’s merely a backdrop that allows for the intimacy between Rag and Caleb to linger and marinate. The right move in this critic’s opinion. But simultaneously, Affleck takes advantage of all of that dramatically to enhance the emotional growth between Rag and Caleb. So, despite mostly (and rightfully) underplaying its post-apoocalypitic nature, there’s enough of it to serve this story and its themes.
None of this matters though without these central performances. Affleck may be a divisive figure, but as an actor, he knows what he’s doing and he’s great here. Anna Pniowsky is going to go down as one of the best discoveries of the year for many people. She’s terrific and in many ways the beating heart of the film. Their dynamic is felt, it’s genuine and elevates the emotion between them.
Light of My Life may not be for everybody given its tonal and methodical approach, but its evocative themes and engaging characters worked for me.
Overall Grade: A-
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