SHAPELESS TAKES SHAPE @ TRIBECA 2021

We must give film directors the benefit of the doubt when having good intentions when making films. The sensationalization of pain and suffering in Hollywood has painstakingly made a lot of money for the industry. At the same time, it has brought forth many issues that need to be addressed. These films with sensitive issues are to be handled carefully and curated for maximum effectiveness with the audience. You can count on the Tribeca Film Festival for bringing these issues to light and people together to celebrate their differences and struggles.

In film, stories unveil a level of truth and “to raise awareness” and festivals like Tribeca do not shy away from that. The manner in which filmmakers ride the line of raising awareness is crucial for the audience to grasp. A call to action for their cause (if they even have one) is difficult for anyone to ask for. Getting the audience to speak to the stories of the films and their thoughts is enough.

Director Samantha Aldana‘s Shapeless made its premiere at Tribeca Film Festival. She develops the film along with lead actress Kelly Murtagh who wrote the script along with Bryce Parsons-Twesten. Shapeless is a reflection of Murtagh’s own struggle with an eating disorder. It took her much courage to approach and admit to Aldana that she had a problem. Aldana did her research though with the subject and immersing herself in this world to have an in-depth understanding. So when her movie reaches out to critics, they will not go after her saying that she did not do her research. This being what most critics say about filmmakers who direct films of this narrative where someone experiences a mental health or addiction issue. Although, this is a great starting point at Tribeca for this cause to reach more people.

Kelly Murtagh plays Ivy who is a jazz singer hoping to make it big one day. At night she sings at bars where there is not even a crowd and by day she works at a dry cleaner for low pay. There is not much going on for Ivy except the fact that her dreams are getting in the way of her reality. And then there is her eating disorder which is making her rot and heads toward a downward spiral without her even knowing it. Instead of having a formula for success, Ivy has one for disaster where she is in total denial that she has a problem. The more she continues in her ways, the more that this demon inside of her is going to take a hold of her.

Ivy’s lonely battles with this disorder especially within her apartment are intriguing yet cringy. These are in dark and eerie experimental sequences that reflect her body’s horror and vision. Instead of pulling the wool over Ivy’s eyes, this monster of an inner demon is pulling her eyes out. It is making her blind in a city where it is ironic because of its many colours. Aldana is at her best as she adjusts the contrast to the tone of Ivy’s downward journey. It’s a nice chaotic clash that does not disturb the pace of the film. Nothing sets this tone better than being in the backdrop of the sultry deep south life of New Orleans. Where this film’s jazzy and blues soundtrack follows the despair of Ivy. She is actually singing her own tune throughout Shapeless.

The film does have some powerful scenes like when Ivy is to sing at a wedding. She is late because she just had another period of bulimia. Her band is awaiting her arrival and when Ivy does get there, she is a hot mess. She is not dressed for the occasion and she is not prepared to sing. She crashes the wedding by not showing up through her voice causing embarrassment to her and everyone at the wedding. This just shows how an eating disorder is like having a drug and alcohol addiction. When it is time to rise at an opportunity, vices ground the anxiety from the pressure. In this sequence of the wedding, Ivy looks as though she just went on a bender. She did but not with drugs and alcohol but with food.

A notable sequence that Aldana crafts artistically in the film is when Ivy is laying on the floor in ecstasy with food wraps, boxes, covering and plastic surrounding her. It’s a strong sign that that anyone can get totally lost in the world of food. We are the only ones who can be held accountable when it comes to people who suffer from eating disorders like Ivy. We want solutions to all the problems that food gives us. Unfortunately, there are many like Ivy who takes that road to solve them.

Like most films at Tribeca this year, Shapeless is a film with not good but great intentions. Leaning towards a haunting story, not a horror story is not great for horror fans. Rather this film is made for those trying to understand the illness. Many critics will come after this film for sensationalizing pain suffering from mental illness. Yet, Aldana’s stylized structure and approach are respectful which cultivates a truthful narrative. Shapeless may not please everyone for its content but it does serve as a template for the future of films that deal with this narrative. It’s more effective with Aldana’s minimal visionary filmmaking in Shapeless. Rather than throwing everything but the kitchen sink to raise that awareness. She has definitely done her homework knowing that less is more with content where everyone wants more.