Mass (2021)

In an Idaho church meeting room, two couples come together to converse about a shared tragedy. It’s easy to do a search to find out more details on the plot and there are probably only a dozen or so options that fit, but I loved going into this blind. Everyone involved with getting this meeting set up obviously know what it’s about. It’s an intriguing exercise watching their reactions and small conversations as the story unwinds. The film is indeed a master class in acting between the four main participants. Martha Plimpton and Jason Isaacs as a married couple have so many instances of natural nonverbal communication that it’s entirely believable that they are in an actual relationship. Ann Dowd as the other female in the quartet is incredible as always, her face a constant visage of resigned pain. Reed Birney is more restrained in his role, but also perfect as a more removed perspective from the events. They kept me mesmerized throughout.