Shadows on the Wall

Fairyland

dir-scr Andrew Durham
prd Sofia Coppola, Megan Carlson, Laure Sudreau, Greg Lauritano, Siena Oberman
with Emilia Jones, Scoot McNairy, Nessa Dougherty, Geena Davis, Adam Lambert, Cody Fern, Maria Bakalova, Bella Murphy, Ben Attal, Ryan Thurston, Isabella Peregrina, Roman Gonzalez
release US 10.Oct.25,
UK 29.May.26
23/US Lionsgate 1h56

SUNDANCE FILM FEST

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Based on Alysia Abbott's memoir, this heartfelt comedy drama has the ring of truth as it mixes offbeat details with earthy realities. Opening in 1974, the film is beautifully shot in period style, which allows writer-director Andrew Durham to seamlessly splice in archival footage. Meanwhile, the story traces decades that are momentous for the characters and the world. The film also refuses to shy away from heavier emotions.

After her mother dies in an accident, 5-year-old Alysia (Dougherty) moves to San Francisco with her writer father Steve (McNairy). Their colourful new life sharing a house is fun but a bit confusing, because Daddy only has boyfriends now. Naturally, Steve's mother-in-law (Davis) worries about Alysia growing up in such an unconventional environment. Later as a teen, Alysia (Jones) finds herself taking responsibility amid her father's hapless lifestyle with his boyfriend Charlie (Lambert). Then she heads off to university in New York, plus a term in Paris. But the spread of Aids changes her plans.

Refreshingly, the film approaches its central topicality with warmth and honesty. Alysia takes her father's sexuality in stride, understanding that her mother was exceptional. She also knows that the queer people around them are a lot more accepting than the bigots. Even with her teen rebellious streak, Alysia maintains a close, open relationship with her father. And he challenges her to keep writing about everything she experiences.

McNairy is terrific as this free-thinking artist who takes things as they come. Steve understands that living in this world will make Alysia a better person, but this isn't always easy for her. In her first role, Dougherty is excellent as the young Alycia, and Jones brings sparky intelligence as a bright young woman who understands the truth even when it makes her life uncomfortable. So she knows why she is angry so often. The people who come in and out of their lives are beautifully played and fully formed.

Set at the height of the gay rights movement, Alysia sees the struggles this community is facing, from Harvey Milk's murder to the Aids epidemic. She also has to make sense of her father's early life, growing up unable to be himself. Even more powerful is her realisation that her own fear held her back from enjoying what could have been a fully joyful life with her seriously cool, childish dad. But she appreciates that she got to grow up in a fairyland full of fabulously real people.

themes, language 12.May.26

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