Synopsis
“Below Her Mouth” is a Canadian romantic drama film directed by April Mullen. It examines the nature of love and emotional relationships, as well as the change love brings to a person. The film is set in Toronto and centers on the romantic relationships of two women who come from very different social backgrounds and changes in different emotional planes.
Jasmine is a fashion editor and the film’s primary character. She is in her mid-30s, engaged to a stable, long-term romantic partner, and lives in a well-ordered, homogeneous social milieu. She is the subject of primary social and professional accomplishments in her world. Nevertheless, she is deeply unhappy and gradually coming to a recognition that a part of her very being is fundamentally and distressingly absent.
Dallas, on the other hand, is a confident, independent construction worker who has been recently dumped. She is self-contained, and in the polite company of others, she is expressionless and emotionally inaccessible. She has a strong emotional disposition which sharpens when unleashed by constructive work. There is a dramatic contrast in emotional presence and intensity of work between her and Jasmine.
While out with friends one night, Jasmine meets Dallas at a bar, and there’s an immediate connection. What starts as a coincidence develops into a relationship that deeply impacts Jasmine and forces her to reevaluate herself and her life. Dallas reveals a part of her that Jasmine had buried for a long time, one that is unapologetically brave, authentic, and raw.
After spending some time with Dallas, Jasmine is caught up in a struggle between her predictable life and the emotional attachment she is developing. The film takes us through her emotional struggle as she begins to ask important questions about her identity, her life, and the reality of her life. Her relationship with Dallas acts as a catalyst, compelling Jasmine to reckon with the deepest truths about love as a choice and her autonomy.
Though there is a deeply rooted romantic connection in the story, Below Her Mouth is really about so much more. It is also about emotional honesty, the fight for personal freedom, and the integration of disparate parts of self. Falling in love is only one part of Jasmine’s journey. The struggle to find herself lies at the core.
The film concludes with a potentially open-ended conclusion — one that escapes the boundaries of a perfect resolution as well as the tragedy of a sad ending. The film’s ending, however, strikes a universality with the emotions of listening to one’s inner self, even when one is confronted with the need to make tough decisions.
Cast & Crew
Erika Linder as Dallas
For a first-time actor, Linder’s Dallas is a performance of quiet power and stillness. The duality of tenderness and toughness within Dallas is captured beautifully in Linder’s grounded performance. Her work as a well known model results in a strong and emotionally rich performance. Through subtle shifts and a strong presence, Linder embodies the spirit of a confident woman who lives by her own rules while masking difficult emotional scars.
Natalie Krill as Jasmine
As Jasmine, Natalie Krill develops a balanced and emotionally flowing performance. Her role embodies the conflict of a woman struggling to reconstruct a dominant part of her identity. Krill powerfully and honestly presents Jasmine’s struggle as she grapples with lack of clarity to a new and decisive sense of self. Krill’s performance is compelling and relatable, allowing a range of viewers to connect with her character, which is central to the film.
April Mullen – Director
April Mullen is known for her bold, creative choices, and Below Her Mouth is no different. Mullen and her team made a conscious choice to have an all-female crew for this production in order to capture a genuine female viewpoint of the story. Mullen is more concerned with the emotional side of the character, and the story is told visually while focusing on the character’s internal change.
Stephanie Fabrizi – Writer
Fabrizi’s screenplay successfully illustrates emotional truth and internal conflict. In many parts, the dialogue is sparse, leaving the audience in silence which allows the atmosphere to breathe. Fabrizi’s work avoids the use of overused ideas and instead, creates an intimate narrative that is focused strongly on the characters, and revolves around internal transformation.
Cinematography and Setting
The film’s visuals are stunning, with Toronto providing the urban landscape. Maya Bankovic, the cinematographer, deserves special recognition for her use of close-ups, natural light, and her attention to the characters’ emotional expressions. Shooting in real locations, rather than sets, contributes to the sense of reality.
Reception and IMDb Ratings
Globally, Below Her Mouth has received an IMDb score of 5.5/10. Though critiques of the film were varied, many audiences claimed the film was emotionally honest and praised the performances of the two leads. Certain critics remarked that the film was ‘lacking’ in plot and structure, which provided an almost ‘meditative’ experience, passing more time on emotion, and the surrounds, atmosphere, and, for emotion, the audience unto itself.
Critics of the film commended its inclusion in the ‘growing’ movement of cinema which includes ‘LGBTQ+’ figures and stories not solely focal on the characters sexual orientations. More specifically, the emphasis with which the connection and the bond between Dallas and Jasmine was an ‘emotional’ one, and not politically charged as many in the audience have grown accustom to in cinema.
In regard to filmic elements and ‘artistic’ intent, the film gained praise in the construction of ‘visual style’ and the ‘artistic’ intent of the film. Some were disappointed in the lack of emotional grounding of the characters. The all-female construction also gained acknowledgment and praise. Below Her Mouth has effectively portrayed the ‘profound’ shift in storytelling and narrative construction.
Conclusion
Below Her Mouth features a deeply intimate narrative centered on emotional awakening and the bravery it takes to live authentically. This film does not adhere to the standard conventions of a romance. Instead, it offers a narrative centered on self-reflection, self-identity, and transformation. The film’s characters provide a vehicle for the film’s examination of how unanticipated bonds can propel a person to undertake a profound self-examination.
Above all, the film eschews melodramatic surprises for a more contemplative appreciation of character, mood, and visual narrative. Below Her Mouth occupies a distinct and unique space in contemporary drama because of the emotive veracity of its leads and the careful orchestration and visual composition of the film.
Ultimately, the film is about the bonds we forge, not only with others, but with ourselves. It is about the resolve to adhere to one’s heart, and the courage to act on it, even when the way forward is obscured. Below Her Mouth is a thoughtful film and offers a narrative that is emotionally sincere and profoundly worthwhile for any viewer interested in emotional honesty and narratives about personal development.
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