It is the debut feature of veteran Director of Photography Steven Bernstein, and whilst he can be commended for telling an emotionally poignant story, driving most to tears, the film is largely carried by the wonderful cast, spearheaded by Samantha Morton as Annie. At times the visual style lacks depth and consistency, yet it is continually saved by Morton and her ability to imbue her character with both tenderness and tremendous tenacity. As she puts the cruelest parts of the illness on display, she remains dignified throughout, gaining great empathy from the audience.

The parallel narrative stars Helen Hunt as Ms. King, the stern and steely scientist. Fighting for breast cancer and against a dismissive, male medical establishment that leaves her research continually underfunded, the film provides an interesting critique on gender power play and bureaucracy within the medical realm. Hunt is perfect in her portrayal of a hard-hitting researcher, but unfortunately she is not given enough screen time to shine. Her and her team’s (including Maggie Grace and Ben McKenzie) almost two-decade quest to find the cancer-related genetic link is a powerful story that isn’t adequately explored.

The focus remains on Annie from her childhood to her present life, chronicling both her mother’s and sister’s death from breast cancer, and her subsequent diagnosis with the same disease. Aaron Paul (Yes, Jesse Pinkeman from Breaking Bad) plays Annie’s wannabe rock star/pool cleaner husband. He is a welcoming presence with a similar bewildered, overgrown boy mentality to his BB persona, and his parade of 70s wigs and fabulous costuming by Karyn Wagner provide a degree of comic relief (that is not necessarily intentional).

Although the scientific narrative may be underplayed, the romantic drama is powerful throughout, showing a holistic view of ‘suffering’ from both the perspective of the patient and their loved ones. Decoding Annie Parker is a tissue box film:

it will leave you puffy eyed, salt-stained and pensive, but more importantly, unquestionably engaged. If your own family narrative has been punctuated by the ‘C’ word, then the film will speak to you personally. In this case, two boxes come highly recommended.

3.5/5

Words by SAMI-JO ADELMAN 

Decoding Annie Parker  is out in cinemas on 23 October.

Image via wikipedia

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