Family is a common theme that has been explored in many unusual ways in films; the dysfunctional unit is often the most popular depiction in cinema and literature. Director Steph Green's feature film debut "Run and Jump" continues this narrative thread with a unique story about Vanetia Casey (Maxine Peake) and her struggles to get her life back together after her 38-year old husband Connor's (Edward Macliam) suffers stroke.
After the aforementioned incident, the family hosts American psychologist Ted Fielding (Will Forte) to their home to do research and help Connor return to normalcy. The family initially meets him with resistance because they believe Ted is treating Connor as a project and not as human. However, as the relationship builds and she sees her husband's improvement, Vanetia begins to accept the psychologist. Despite the family moving in the right direction, Ted and Vanetia's newfound feelings create a major rift in the unity of the family.
At the center of the film is Vanetia, played by the spirited Maxine Peake. Peake always seems to have her emotions in check and replaces them with positivity and optimism; she is always smiling. When Connor makes a scene at the supermarket, she contains herself and reassures whoever is watching that everything is fine. When Connor continuously makes spheres in his wood shop and destroys a table she was going to sell, she does not make an issue out of it. At one point while she is in the car waiting for her son Lenny, it seems like she is about to break but instead does laughter yoga.
As she develops her relationship with Ted, her smiles turn into thoughtful and solemn interactions and her patience with Connor starts to wear off. While at the beginning she would try and comfort him, she increasingly becomes intolerant. She no longer accepts his woodwork and even stops sleeping with him. Her time with Connor is replaced by Ted's presence. She starts riding bikes, smoking marijuana and even dancing with him. But the problems that relationship creates force the character into a more reserved state.
Peake also brings great emotional intensity to the role. When her character is in good spirits she translates it so well to the viewer. In a dancing scene with Ted, her movements are free and energetic. During her emotional scenes there is true vulnerability. In the scene when she hits her daughter, Peake breaks into tears and it is evident that she feels compassion for her daughter. One of the most sincere scenes is when she has sex with Connor. It is not only a moment of pleasure but a moment of full discovery for her character. She realizes that this is not the same man she once married but a changed one she will have to learn to deal with.
In the role of Ted, Will Forte, known for his comic roles and work on Saturday Night Live, is mostly reserved. He is subjected to observing the family and watching from afar. In some cases there is a voiceover as he is writing his observations of the family and of Connor. He adds levity to the drama with his awkwardness. When Vanetia's daughter Noni (Ciara Gallagher) walks into the bathroom while he is bathing, Forte tries to cover himself up, but only ends up knocking a toy over. Another funny moment with the girl happens at the beginning when Noni enters without permission and they simply stare in confusion. However his scenes with Lenny, Vanetia's son are the opposite as they are filled with tenderness. When he picks the boy up and sees that he has been bullied he tries to comfort him. When the boy is humiliated by his classmates during a swim race, he tries to cheer him.
Edward Macliam plays the role of Connor in a very physical performance. His movements are erratic while his facial twitches only demonstrate this sick and changed man. When he first exits the hospital he does not speak to anyone and simply observes. When he first arrives home he is uncontrollable and instead of appreciating a dollhouse his daughter made for him, he prefers to look for an extension cord. Macliam runs around without a direction. In a dinner scene, he eats with his hands instead of using a spoon. Another scene shows him making a wooden spoon to touch people and animals. The act only furthers the fact that Macliam's character cannot connect with others. His speech impediment furthers this. Macliam twitches his mouth, and pronounces with a lisp. No word comes out clear. Macliam transforms towards the end as he is finally able to touch his wife through the sex. He also shares some tender moments with his daughter when he ties her shoes, and helps her dress.
The rest of the ensemble is also beautifully acted. Brendan Morris's Lenny is a quiet and hurting child who is constantly picked on by other kids. His silent and reserved interactions only enhance his pain. Michael Harding's Paddy shows his vulnerability for his son through his grumpy demeanor. Even though he is upset for half the movie, it is in response to the pain he sees Connor going through. Ruth McCabe plays Connor's mother Nora, Connor's mother and brings her sorrow for her son and husband in a small but captivating performance. Instead of crying in one moment, she takes all her frustrations on a bird house and breaks it; it is a fascinating representation of pain.
Green shoots her movie with handycam and natural lighting. The result enhances Connor's erratic behaviors and Vanetia's free spirit. Even though the subject matter is tough, Green never subjects the viewer to darkness. Instead she infuses it with bright colors. The house has light blues, yellows and some reds and the music is always upbeat maintaining the positive vive.
Overall, "Run and Jump" is a wonderfully charming piece of filmmaking that takes the viewer on a positive and spirited journey.
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