The Humans

It takes awhile to get to know who the characters are and their family dynamic, which isn’t dynamic at all. This excellent ensemble interacts as any family does, talking over each other. They say hurtful things without thinking, revealing what’s really bothering them about themselves, each other and life in general. It’s very slow going for the first half of the film, and then revs up as you realize how their reactions hit nerves and affect each other.

It’s a frustrating watch, but made curious creating even more tension by the way the film is shot by Cinematographer Lol Crawley. He frames scenes showing only small sections of the apartment, off center, many times from an adjoining room looking at the only some of the actors sitting at the table talking to or about each other. There is a lot of whispering, biting accusations, and the feeling of something hidden as people break off walking around the duplex apartment while trying to keep track of the wandering Momo. Is there something or someone else lurking in this dark, dingy building? Are the family members holding back? There is constant nerve-racking tension as if something horrifying is about to happen. 

All of the performances are excellent, but Jeanie Houdyshell is exceptional. She dominates every time she was on the screen having created her role in the Broadway play. You can feel her frustration with all those in the room as truth comes out about the strained relationships and grudges against some in the family.