What If It Works? (2017) Reviews

• Compassionate story if not a little too mannered

  david-rector-850922017-09-07

  There's much to admire about 'What if it works'. Romi Trower has written and directed a very personal and at times confronting drama which has a few lighter moments to humanise and ease the pain that is being depicted so beautifully by her actors. Essentially this is a two hander, even though it has a welcome comeback for Kaarin Fairfax (a terrific and all too absent actor from our screens) and features several supporting and incidental characters. An unlikely pairing of an OCD with a Multiple Personality Disorder makes for an interesting set of quirks and traumas alike, with Luke Ford and Anna Samson truly inhabiting their challenging roles. Luke Ford is a terrific actor (an award winner for 'Black Balloon' nearly a decade ago, and Anna Samson is a revelation for me here, as I was unfamiliar with her work. There is something intrinsically likable about Luke; he seems to be drawn to damaged or challenged figures, but he brings huge warmth and heart to 'Adrian'. It is to be sure, an overly mannered performance, and depending on whether a viewer can appreciate both the condition that the actor is portraying as well as the fact that he is an actor bringing the script to life, this may be too heightened a performance, but he won me over. Anna Samson has an equally difficult challenge; set of challenges with multiple personalities to explore and portray with a point of difference for each one. Her range is impressive and I look forward to seeing more major films for this actress. There is a sweetness to 'What if it works' that kept me connected; even when I was a little distanced by the self conscious style of a number of the performances. It is not an easy tightrope to walk in bringing mental illness and conditions as debilitating as these, yet still making a narrative that is palatable for audiences. I hope this film finds an audience, as it is very hope-filled and sincere in its wish to take some stigma out of illness, and replace it with life and love and positivity.

• Beauty, humanity, pathos and humor

  gisellesolinski2017-09-08

  A delightful film shot in some of the most arty and colorful streets of Melbourne.it traces the impossible love story between Adrian, an irrepressible tech nerd stuck in his OCD rituals to avoid confronting the pain of the past and Grace, a DID sufferer, struggling to integrate her personality and her life through art and therapy. The writer director, Romi Trower, tells the story with great insight, integrity and love. Despite their serious mental health issues, Adrian and Grace are portrayed as interesting, capable, intelligent people with needs, hopes and dreams like everybody else. No attention is spared in creating detailed sets, quirky wardrobes and great music. This beautiful film radiates honesty, humanity, pathos and humor. It is a must see!

• Romantic comedy with a difference

  harpsoundshp2017-08-24

  This film explores the development of a relationship between a young women with many personalities and a young man with compulsive disorders. It is unusual, funny, sad, and beautifully filmed in the lane ways of Melbourne. A lovely film and so proud to have it premiered here in Bunbury Western Australia through CinefestOz

• Ordinary love story of two extraordinary people

  tanujpoddar2018-11-25

  This is a wonderful story of a relationship that blossoms between a man, Adrian suffering from OCD and a woman, Grace, suffering from Muliple Personality Disorder. We follow the lives of these two to see how they face various situations caused by their conditions. Nothing melodramatic about it, just shown as normally as they normally would have to deal with things. They have both lost hope of having a fulfilling relationship in their lives, but develop a friendship with each other. The narrative beautifully intertwines their individual life journeys and the conversations are wonderfully executed. It is a wonderful journey to follow their conversations, as they both have the patience to listen and understand each other, in a world that fails to. They develop a deep caring for each other and help out each other to deal with their own situations and in the process do things that they thought were beyond their abilities. And thus the power of love prevails and they live happily ever after. :P The production quality is not that great, but is decent for an indie. While the narrative of the film revolves around mental illness and abuse, the director makes an effort to keep the mood light, ambience bright and colorful and the music uplifting. While it is a little overdone at times, but still doesn't take away much from the wonderful narrative.

• Visually exciting, heart tugging, intriguing, a "must see"

  info-775992017-10-08

  Exciting bursting color, well placed movement, music enhance the visual delight of this film in inner urban settings. Modern life, chaos, beauty, challenge, different ways of being. Romi Trower and her talented Crew have given us a gift, a sweet wonder of a film speaking to us about love, pain and discovery. Adrian (Luke Ford)takes us with him on his journey. We care, we want Adrian to succeed. We want to understand. Grace (Anna Samson) brings her character to us in a reality we begin to comprehend as the film unfolds. The marvelous Cast Actors support and enhance our understanding with empathy, subtle, generous acting. Dr Di Scaala(Karen Fairfax) works as a sensitive device to allow us to engage in the challenges our heroes face in their quest. Didn't want the film to end, there was much to see, enjoy, learn, contemplate and at the same time, entertain. The mark of a good film? It leaves you with something. "What if it works" leaves you with so much. You'll always remember this film.