The Thing With Feathers: A Journey Through Grief
In the film The Thing With Feathers, directed by Dylan Southern, we embark on a poignant exploration of grief and the upheaval it brings to family life. Benedict Cumberbatch stars as a widower fumbling through the early days of loss, faced with the daunting task of raising two children alone. The film is an adaptation of Max Porter's acclaimed novel Grief Is the Thing With Feathers, which deftly intertwines the themes of love and loss through the lens of family dynamics.
A Chaotic Household
The film opens with a melancholic toll of a bell, signaling the void left by the mother's untimely passing. Immediately, we are introduced to Dad—a graphic novelist whose creativity is stifled by his grief and the unmanageable chaos of parenting. His home, a reflection of his mental state, is a whirlwind of disorder. The once-cozy kitchen now resembles a battleground, mirroring Dad's struggle to find his footing.
“From the start, it's clear Dad has little feel for the routines of the household or parenting. The disorder will spread and deepen.”
The Crow: A Symbol of Grief
Central to the narrative is the crow, personified and voiced by the talented David Thewlis. This feathered creature acts as both a tormentor and a muse for Dad, embodying the weight of his despair. The crow constantly taunts him, urging him to face his grief rather than wallow in despair. In a poignant exploration of the therapeutic journey, the crow prompts a reflection on the fine line between embracing grief and sinking into despair. I found myself wishing for a deeper expansion on the crow's role—hoping it would enhance the narrative's emotional resonance rather than serve merely as a spectral sidekick.
A Missed Connection with the Mother
Cumberbatch's performance is earnest and compelling; he engages in a deep dive into the shadows of grief. Yet, one glaring absence in this narrative is the palpable presence of the mother. Though the film focuses on Dad's emotional turmoil, it fails to explore his late wife's character in a manner that evokes sympathy or connection. Her influence, both as a partner and as a mother, stays veiled, leaving the audience longing for a fuller picture. I found myself pondering how her ghostly absence could have been articulated through the reactions of the children, amplifying the film's emotional stakes.
Conclusion: A Half-Realized Journey
Ultimately, The Thing With Feathers grapples with powerful themes but does so with uneven execution. While its exploration of grief is at times illuminating, the film leaves viewers in a state of yearning; we desire a more profound engagement with the mother's character and a clearer emotional arc for Dad. In the realm of grief narratives, a film's brilliance often lies not just in its portrayal of sorrow, but in how it weaves memories of the lost into the fabric of the living.
Whether this film will resonate deeply with you could hinge on how much you appreciate a narrative that prioritizes emotional exploration over traditional storytelling. The ideal audience may indeed find the film's artistic ambition worth the price of admission, even if it doesn't quite soar to the heights of its aspirations.
Technical Details
- Director: Dylan Southern
- Writers: Dylan Southern, Max Porter
- Stars: Henry Boxall, Benedict Cumberbatch, Richard Boxall, Nandi Bhebhe, Sam Spruell
- Rating: R
- Running Time: 1h 38m
- Genre: Drama
For those interested, tickets are available here.
Source reference: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/movies/the-thing-with-feathers-review.html
