Film Review: Supernova
Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth in Supernova.
Harry Macqueen’s second feature Supernova deals with the simple subject of enduring love as a life-long couple face mortality in different ways.
The couple are sixty-ish Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci), two intellectuals that have forged careers in their own right; Sam as a concert pianist, and Tusker a novelist.
They embark of a road-trip to visit landmarks of past memories, while also visiting Sam’s family in the country. The spectre of finality looms large over this trip from the beginning, as playful badinage becomes laced with metaphor when Sam insists to Tusker “we’re not going back, you know.” While both of them know Tusker is suffering with early onset dementia, a decision is unveiled that will irreparably change their lives.
The film tactfully avoids wallowing in pity toward death, and does not regale in their past memories, but rather celebrates life while we have it. However, this approach at times gives a shallowness to its portrayal of dementia, with moments of forgetfulness feel slightly tokenistic for sentimental impact. For example, when Sam’s sister surprises him with a birthday party, family and friends are gathered for dinner and Tusker announces he wants to read a prepared speech. Tusker finds himself unable to read the words and passes the letter onto Sam, and unbeknownst to Sam, its contents are mostly about him. An undoubtedly touching moment, as well as brilliantly acted, but perhaps too convenient.
What propels this film into the stratosphere, so to speak, are the performances of Firth and Tucci. The chemistry and warmth between the two are effortlessly real, as Sam’s worrisome demeanour is perfectly counter-balanced by the acerbic wit of Tusker. In particular, as Sam and Tusker take a pit-stop for food along their journey, Tusker coyly jokes to the waitress, “I saw you looking over. If you have a napkin, he can sign it for you”, in order to embarrass Sam’s career as a concert pianist.
However, these emotionally reserved personalities have limits tested with scenes of palpable tension. For instance, when Sam discovers a disturbing secret about Tusker that forces him to confront the thought of a life without his loved one. This results in an emotionally charged climax when the two are privately having dinner. Sam desperately avoids the elephant in the room, talking about any subject that comes to mind to distract from his pain. His mouth almost literally moves faster than he can talk, and as his voice begins to crack, so too does the crockery.
Settings are occupied by the lush, verdant rolling hills of the English countryside, allowing nature itself to be soaked in and appreciated. To accompany this, the pacing is very measured and patient, but is given a perceived rush when a dramatic decision is revealed, creating a new and definitive meaning to each slow moment.
The title itself alludes to the film’s central premise: Supernova is about a couple deeply in love, and when an endpoint to their relationship is revealed, their emotions and sadness burst in all directions. It is a lovingly crafted film with terrific lead performances, and challenges conceptions of how humans cope with death.
Supernova is showing in cinemas across Australia from the 15th of April 2021.