Poised to release on December 1st 2023, “Tuesday” offers a unique viewing experience by integrating a multitude of emotions, complex storylines, and a hint of fantasy, that balances both the internal and external realities of grief, connection, and the healing presence of compassion. This elegant piece of a debut feature from Daina O. Pusic, who also serves as the screenwriter, showcases the talent of artists Julia Louis Dreyfus, Arinzé Kene, Leah Harvey, and Lola Petticrew.
As the titular character, we see the world from the perspective of and outside a 15-year-old Tuesday who bears an unfortunate terminal illness. In Tuesday we witness a conquest of kindness, imagination, and, most importantly, bravery. This blend of fantasy and the cold hard truth of reality echoes as a painful symphony of compassion from the daughter alongside the immense compassion, but also denial, from Zora, the daughter’s mom. Zora plays the part of the relentless, unhinged character, as she does everything to keep progress flowing through the “life funnel” but in reality, everything is utterly stacked on top of and surrounding her. She is hopeless and in denial, as she is utterly submerged in the gel of reality that outlines the awful truth of her daughter’s condition.
Under the care of her mother and a soft spoken nurse named Billie, Tuesday spends her days in the house. One day, she receives a large talking macaw, which comes as a surprise, as a visitor. This bird, however, is special. It is a representation of Death, a being described as coming to those who have reached the end of their life span.
While this concept might come off as strange, the bird has no features which can be described as scary. Instead, it is soft spoken and at times, it can even be described as funny. Tuesday, who is older than her actual age, easily figures out who the macaw is, and what it has come to do. Instead of giving in, she asks for a little more time, just enough time to say farewell to her mother.
When Zora comes back home and finds the macaw with her daughter, she realizes what is taking place. Her reaction is dramatic and filled with strong feelings. She aims to protect her daughter Tuesday, which is a form of going against the natural order, and try to stop the bird. Zora cannot stand the thought of losing her daughter and will go to extreme lengths to do everything to prevent it.
To remain alive, Tuesday, Zora’s daughter, is imprisioned in Zora’s body along with Death. Zora’s decision to do so for Tuesday’s sake is rather irrational, for their condition is unpredictable as creature and people alike are suddenly immobilized, absent the usual song and dance as Death becomes negligent to her responsibilities. Zora and Tuesday’s predicament forces them to come up with a solution. Morning walks and reminsicing enables Zora to understand the necessity of goodbyes, whereas the lack of them can be a tragedy. When ‘Tuesday matures’, Zora sets the bird free, which in turn, encourages Zora to rigorously move and accept her ‘then’ condition. She is intimately aware of the absence of her daughter. Zora in the end, continues to ‘live’ while keeping the ‘inhabitor of her heart’ close.
Cast and Crew
Zora is played by highly regarded actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, known for capturing the emotional essence of a character. In Zora’s instance, Julia captures the emotional essence in a manner that compliments her beauty, as Julia strongly exhibits the tender and fierce characteristics of Zora.In the role of Tuesday, Lola Petticrew skillfully brings the stillness and strength of a young person grappling with the unfathomable to the screen, as she does with the rest of her characters. Tuesday encompasses the gentle spirit of the characters.
Leah Harvey plays Billie, the devoted nurse who shows Tuesday the most attention and love. Her character serves as a narrative anchor.
The character of the macaw, Death, is the only character who is not menacing in the story. Alinzé Kene’s voice brings warmth and curiosity to a character who is often shown in a different light. His portrayal does not imply hostility, but rather serves as a more benevolent guide.
Daina O. Pusić, who directed the movie, also composed the screenplay. The fiction is rich in fantasy but the characters themselves are emotionally traceable. Pusić’s bold imagination truly stands out in the story. The exquisite cinematography blended with the sound, editing, and overall design gives a sublime balance hallmarking the charm of a fairytale to the world.
Themes and Messages
Through the thoughtful and evocative film ‘Tuesday’, several discernible and important themes are covered:
- Love
Primary focus of the film is the love of a mother and daughter. Their connection is quite vivid and genuine. Even in silence, their concerns and dedication are actively demonstrated in the mother lover daughter relationship. Their unique optimism focuses on love, providing them the energy and courage to survive and overcome the worst.
- Acceptance and Letting Go
Zora’s journey is about learning to accept the unchangeable. At first, Zora tries to fight it, grappling. Over time, she figures out that this undoubtedly causes harm. Letting go of a person does not mean giving up. In fact, it is a form of respect.
- Imagination as a Tool for Healing
The purpose of fantasy is to provide not only style and embellishment, but highlight emotional breakthroughs. Death as a talking bird, is a prominent and representative metaphor, systemized in a gentle and meaningful style.
- Memory and Legacy
Although Tuesday departs from the world, she still lives in the heart of her mother. This goes to show that those we love will not ever leave us, but instead we will carry them within us forever.
Visual and Artistic Style
The narrative of the film intertwines mundane activities and magical realism. Homes, hospitals, and the streets are illuminated by natural light and enveloped in soft sounds. Then, the entry of the animated bird adds an element of surprise. The ordinary versus the extraordinary phenomenon, in this case, helps bolster the emotions in the story.
The visual representation of the character’s macaw is very captivating; it is bright, colorful, and very charismatic. It adds an element of intrigue and mystique to the film. The character, through visual effects and soft voice acting, is intended to portray peace as opposed to fear.
The gentle pacing of the film allows viewers to sit with the emotions and reflect, and along with the subtle music and sound design, the film’s quiet beauty is further enhanced.
Reception and Impact
Critics and the audience have equally praised Tuesday for its originality and emotional honesty, along with the acting of the cast, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in particular. Many people commented on it being a deeply thoughtful and moving film that gives a sense of comfort even in sorrow.
Some people may think using fantasy elements is outlandish, while others may think there is a compelling way to illuminate life and death through a different lens. The movie does not attempt to explain everything. Rather, it asks the audience to engage with it on an emotional level, think about it, and correlate it with their personal experiences regarding love and transformation.
Conclusion
Tuesday is a profoundly moving, artistic, and animated film that addresses the hardest parts of life with a soft touch. It demonstrates how imagination can be a source of comfort, how love can help us through loss, and how there is, even in loss, a certain beauty to be found.
Sustained emotional depth, clear storytelling, a superb cast, and singular graphics all combine in Tuesday’s deeply felt presentation of a love that endures even beyond death, lingers in memory after all else has changed, and never truly fades.
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