‘Disfluency’ Review: Language and Memory Collide in Quiet Drama About Healing

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Anna Baumgarten’s film “Disfluency” explores the question of what happens when one can’t express themselves through language, a crucial means for survival according to Joan Didion. However, the movie itself seems to grapple with this issue as it uses complex linguistics terminology. Despite its intention to offer a fresh perspective on the impact of sexual abuse, the story gets lost in the heavy jargon that the title suggests.

As a movie buff, I must say that the film’s opening scene sheds light on the concept of disfluency – a hitch or inconsistency in speech. A professor, addressing an unseen audience, explains that imperfections in speech reflect our imperfect selves. The “ums”, “likes”, and “totallys” are all manifestations of it. This sets the stage for the story of Jane (Libe Barer), who failed her final college class and has had to return home to live with her parents. As Jane reconnects with her sister and her circle of high school friends, including Amber (Chelsea Alden), a single mother of a young deaf boy, Baumgarten gradually unveils the reasons behind Jane’s academic struggles, and hints at how her fascination with “disfluency” might help her regain control of her life.

In a similar manner, Jane chooses to investigate the peculiar linguistic habits she notices in her sister and peers, with the goal of earning credits for graduation. However, as she spends more time with these friends who appear to be stuck in an extended adolescence, and as she grows closer to Amber, whom they’ve all avoided, Jane begins to suspect that her fascination with linguistic discrepancies might point towards something deeper. The occasional reappearance of her college experiences on her mind brings back memories of potential traumatic events. Eventually, these memories prompt her to reveal to Amber (in American Sign Language) that she may have been a victim of assault: although she struggles to articulate the R-word, which she knows is crucial.

As a movie enthusiast, I find the moments where Baumgarten portrays Jane bravely confronting her trauma to be the most impactful and genuine. Instead of sugarcoating or simplifying Jane’s journey, he presents it as messy, raw, and far from perfect – exactly how it should be. The scene with the police officer, where he chooses to take handwritten notes rather than using a digital device, encapsulates this raw honesty perfectly. Reminiscent of series like “Unbelievable” and films such as “Promising Young Woman,” “Disfluency” delves into complex issues rather than offering easy solutions. Jane’s intellectual curiosity serves as Baumgarten’s vessel for conveying these intricate themes to the audience.

In the narrative, Baumgarten adds numerous side stories to Jane’s journey, which seem to soften and spread out her struggle rather than intensify it. For instance, Jane’s relationship with Amber appears more like a tool for her personal growth, as do her encounters with her sister, parents, and romantic interest. Furthermore, due to her characterization as an observer intent on learning local speech, Jane becomes almost marginalized in her own tale until the end of the story.

Barer delivers an impressive performance as an actress, yet hints at the depth she adds to her character Jane are evident. However, by portraying both a detached observer and an introvert grappling with past school events, she occasionally falters in creating a strong foundation for the storyline of “Disfluency”. She represents the title’s fracture, but this aspect becomes repetitive and loses impact over time. Similarly, the secondary cast, many of whom are meant to embody stereotypes common in coming-of-age films, struggle to find the right balance in their roles. For instance, one character is a social media wannabe influencer, while another is a protective father; yet another is a shy neighbor, and there’s a well-intentioned boy.

The movie wraps up by going back to where it started, suggesting that people and speech are both flawed. This notion, powerfully expressed by Jane as a sort of intellectual breakthrough, seems more trite than thought-provoking. However, despite falling short in many places, the film’s attempts to grapple with trauma and language connections often feel intriguing. Yet, the conclusion leaves something to be desired due to its lack of deep insights. If the movie doesn’t quite live up to its potential, “Disfluency” is a pleasant watch, with a clear focus on imperfection in both content and message, which might be why it still manages to captivate us.

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2025-01-17 19:17