Rare Objects
Directed by Katie Holmes
★★
RARE OBJECTS - Season 1 - Gallery
Fortunately, mental health and addiction are serious subjects that are being more commonly discussed throughout society and, in turn, throughout media. Unfortunately, however, Rare Objects may have good intentions, but its execution is anything but.
Katie Holmes writes, directs, and co-stars in the film, which explores grief, extreme sexual trauma, addiction to various substances, and mental health disorders. If that sounds like a lot for a movie to tackle, that's because it is. Too much, in fact, which makes Rare Objects’ ambition, ironically, its greatest weakness.
The biggest stinker out of everything is the film's screenplay. There is a strong sense of care and empathy throughout, but it suffers from meandering ideas and poor execution. This is where I think Holmes struggles the most, though. You have to give her props for the sheer amount of tireless work she undoubtedly put into the various hats she wore throughout the film's production.
The film isn’t entirely a dud, however. Holmes particularly shines as a supporting character going through the ups and downs of addiction and mental health struggles. She brings a warm and kind energy to the role that, in others’ hands, could have been more downtrodden or nihilistic. Alan Cumming also has a similar effect in his supporting role.
From a directing standpoint, Holmes knows what she wants to accomplish, and while I don’t necessarily think the finished product is all that good, there is a hint of future success if a commitment to the rewriting process is adhered to. Her choice of score and the straightforward manner in which she presents her films could be her greatest weapon, just with a little more fine-tuning.
Overall, the film struggles to find a strong conduit in its lead character. I found myself entirely distractible throughout, which is definitely not the intended outcome the film had been going for. Underwritten scenes, meandering plots, and lackadaisical approaches to some performances keep Rare Objects from escaping the shadow of much better films dealing with similar subject matter.
