Review: Audience of Chairs” directed by Deanna Foley

A Bittersweet Story of Time Lost

This movie certainly made me feel the full range of emotions including frustration, anger, hopelessness, optimism, and bittersweet joy. It was beautifully performed by Carolina Bartzcak, Gord Rand and Peter MacNeill.

Bartzcak, playing the lead as Maura, successfully portrayed a woman betrayed by a callous and self-centered husband (Christopher Jacot) and driven to complete despondency and mental illness. Maura’s father (Peter MacNeill) showed an unending love and concern for his daughter throughout her ordeal. And Ben (Gord Rand), a long-distance truck driver, saves Maura’s life and helps her find her way with his love.

Throughout the heartache and Maura’s losses throughout the story, the ending, though bittersweet because of so many years lost with her daughters, is uplifting and joyful. This is a must see movie that will speak directly to your heart.

(reviewed by Chelle Cordero)

AN AUDIENCE OF CHAIRS
GETS U.S RELEASE

A film that “showcases the beauty of the province as much as the talents of its performers” (National Post), this universal story of the redemptive power of a mother’s love is adapted from the popular, award-winning novel, “An Audience of Chairs” by Joan Clark.

Maura Mackenzie (Carolina Bartczak) believes the world is hers to conquer. With her career as a concert pianist gaining momentum, it seems her beauty and talent will be strong enough to mask the demons that threaten to engulf her. But with an absent husband (Chris Jacot) and two young daughters at home, her precarious sanity begins to unravel until one summer day, burning with manic energy, she makes a terrible mistake —a mistake that will change her life forever. The consequences for Maura are catastrophic: her ambitious husband runs for his life, taking the children with him, leaving Maura to lapse into a full-scale breakdown. Life as she knew it is now over. With the help of her father, Ian (Peter MacNeill), Maura works to reclaim her life and waits for a miracle to bring her daughters home. But when the fates align, can the past be forgiven?

Written by Rosemary House and directed by Deanne Foley, An Audience of Chairs is “an experience to be shared” (TorontoNOW). See it September 24 on digital from Indiecan Entertainment.

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