Connect your body heart and mind by Paul Risker
Tangles: A Nostalgic Dive into Love, Loss, and the Unforeseen
In the vibrant backdrop of Nineties San Francisco, a story unfolds that balances the bright, electric energy of youth with the quiet, profound weight of memory. American director Leah Nelson’s feature film, Tangles, is a deeply moving adaptation of Sarah Leavitt’s acclaimed 2010 graphic novel, Tangles: A Story About Alzheimer’s, My Mother And Me.
At its heart, the narrative follows Sarah (played by Abbi Jacobson), a young illustrator navigating the exciting landscape of her life. She is busy chasing creative dreams and personal connections, finding joy in the world around her while building a future. Her world is beautifully layered with the romance she shares with Domino (Samira Wiley), adding warmth and complexity to the unfolding story.
But beneath the surface of these seemingly perfect chapters, an unspoken reality begins to shift. As Sarah’s personal life blossoms, a more serious, undeniable change begins to take hold: her mother’s health is declining. This revelation forces the characters to confront truths they hoped to ignore, turning a sweet story into an intense exploration of aging and familial bonds.
When the signs become too insistent, Sarah sounds an alarm, calling attention to the fragility of her mother’s well-being. The ensuing journey is one of profound realization, forcing her family—her father, younger sister Hannah, and the immediate family—to grapple with a diagnosis that shatters their preconceived notions.
The emotional climax arrives with Midge’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Suddenly, the focus shifts entirely to caregiving, turning Sarah into the steadfast hero tasked with supporting the woman who has always been her guiding light. The film beautifully captures the intense, often denial-filled, experience of watching a beloved figure navigate the complex landscape of cognitive decline.
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Credit: Eye For Film
