Stress Positions: A Pandemic Satire That's More Quirk Than Quarantine
When it comes to the film industry, "Stress Positions" is Theda Hammel's first ever directorial work. In addition, it is also a very strange piece of art that belongs within the category of viral era movies. Even though there are parts in this movie where you can laugh genuinely and there are moments when some clever commentaries are shown, still, it fails to provide a unified and satisfactory viewing experience.
Taking place at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, the story revolves around Terry Goon (played by John Early), who is a divorced man staying in his ex-husband’s Brooklyn brownstone while looking after his nephew Bahlul (a 19-year-old Moroccan model with a broken leg). During this time when Terry is confronting his fear concerning the virus as well as other neuroses about life; they are joined by such characters as Ronald – an insistent Grubhub delivery person – and Karla who steals every scene she appears in (role taken up by director Hammel).
One aspect that makes Hammel’s film stand out is its ability to recreate the surreal atmosphere surrounding those early days of the epidemic. This can be seen from things like Terry wearing gas masks or cleaning everything compulsively around him up until banging pots together for essential worker appreciation night which were all necessary rituals during that period. This serves as a powerful reminder about how weird everything felt back then and how scared we all were together.
What I liked most about Stress Positions was its readiness to go beyond limits and talk about touchy subjects using disrespectful comedy approach. Whether poking fun at millennial woes or discussing matters related to gender identity or even immigration policies; this movie does not shy away from controversy whatsoever but rather embraces it head-on. As such, some parts had me laughing hard while others left me thinking deeply; especially if one prefers edgier forms of humor.
However weak points can also be found within narrative structure used in creating Stress Positions since it meanders aimlessly without any coherent direction thus appearing more like a collection of short stories rather than one complete tale. This lack of focus undermines potential impact that may have been achieved and prevents audience engagement with characters or their respective journeys.
Visually, Stress Positions is an interesting film to look at but it doesn’t always work. The majority adopts this plain almost web series-like aesthetic which suits its comedic tone well enough however; everything changes during the last act where suddenly things become too dramatic looking thematically inappropriate for rest of movie thus hurting overall experience.
The performances were generally strong throughout even though there are certain individuals who stood out such as John Early’s portrayal of neurotic Terry and director Hammel herself who played Karla – bringing her own unique brand quirky charm into play here. Nonetheless, Bahlul remained underdeveloped despite being central figure around whom events revolved around him most times serving only as catalyst for plot progression rather than fully fleshed out character on his own right.
As much as Stress Positions captures bits absurdity together with anxiety associated with living through a pandemic; still fails integration these elements into compelling story telling. Moreover, attempts by the film to provide deeper understandings often end up being shallow reflections which do not take full advantage of various themes brought forth during narrative development process.
If your idea about pandemic life involves political incorrectness involving queer people then “Stress Positions” will give many laughs while making you cringe occasionally too. Nevertheless if someone wants something that is tightly woven or explores deeply into this unprecedented period they might feel let down afterward