Alleviate

There are some wounds that linger on for much longer than we’d like, and which continue to reverberate throughout our life until we reach its end. ‘Alleviate’ is about these wounds, which can be both emotional and physical, and the struggle it takes to move on from great hardship and loss. Whilst the film is appropriately tender and heartfelt, its slow pace creates a sense of disillusionment, and even boredom, with its central character.

Written and directed by Daniel Keeble follows Michael, played with extraordinary talent by the late Darren Kent, as he grapples to come to terms with the unthinkable loss of a loved one. The exact relationship with the loved one remains anonymous throughout, enhancing the sense of relatability for the audience, and immediately establishing a connection to the character, as most people will relate to the loss he has suffered. Michael is unable to alleviate the pain of his suffering and seeks solace from the person whom he has lost, believing that he is talking to them when in actual fact he is merely talking to himself.

This is heart wrenching to watch, as Michael chats away to the open air, particularly when Keeble deploys a wide shot, revealing Michael, sat in a wheelchair and alone in a bare house, talking to himself and saying that he’ll look sick whilst appearing incredibly skinny. However, beyond the initial jolts to the heartstrings our interest in Michael, and indeed the story - of which there is very little of substance - never develops, and though sympathy for his plight remains, by the end there is a sense of indifference, as we’ve learnt nothing more about the character than was given to us in the opening three minutes.

Michael doesn’t progress as a person, or even progress much in his grief. He is much the same person at the end as at the start, and whilst this may suggest that Keeble’s intent was to show that this sense of loss cannot be alleviated, it doesn’t make for remotely interesting building of character or story. Michael constantly repeats the same words as he speaks to himself, and even when he doesn’t the sentiment behind them is much the same - I miss you, how am I supposed to live without you.

Whilst Daniel Keeble’s script is perhaps too slow paced, and lacks narrative thrust to progress the story, his direction is excellent throughout. The aforementioned wide shot stands out, but he also consistently reinforces a sense of confusion with quick cuts, whilst the sombre colour palette reinforces the melancholy of the film as a whole. He is also aided by a truly standout performance by Darren Kent, whose delivery of each line is heartbreaking and effectively portrays the pain of his character in his eyes.

Whilst ‘Alleviate’ may lack narrative thrust to make a fully compelling story, it is nonetheless heart wrenching at times, and contains an incredible lead performance.