Moon Manor
**Seen at the 2021 Atlanta Film Festival.
I remember when “The Sea Inside,” a biopic about the life (or rather, the death) of Ramon Sampedro- a quadriplegic who campaigned for the right to end his life for 28 years- came out. It poses questions of mortality, whether life can be enjoyed in a medical state that robs us of some of the most fundamental experiences we can have as humans, and if- in some cases dictated by the individual- death is the best answer. Most of- if not all- of the major religions see suicide as a mortal sin, so naturally, euthanasia (assisted suicide) is tantamount to murder. But, if death is chosen by the person who wishes it, and they have someone willing to take on the weight of that decision, is it not better for their pain to be lifted, and they be allowed to go out on their own terms, rather than their body putting them through more suffering? We always hope that our loved ones, when they pass, go peacefully; isn’t the ability to choose how we go, how we are able to end our individual pain, the definition of being most at peace?
“The Sea Inside” was not the first film that came to mind in watching “Moon Manor,” however, which tells the “true story” of Jimmy (James ‘Jimmy’ Carrozo), a man who is living with Alzheimer’s, and is throwing a celebration of his life the day he has chosen to end it. I put true story in quotes because the film’s Jimmy is, indeed, based on Carrozo, but he is still alive, of course, to tell his story, and he is not dead yet. The film I first thought of was Tim Burton’s “Big Fish,” and its emotional ending, when the tall tales and reality of Edward Bloom’s life converge, and his son finally understands his father, and the stories he told. “Moon Manor” is written and directed by Machete Bang Bang and Erin Granat with glee at some of the loopier bits of Jimmy’s last day, and with the utmost respect for life and death. It is a beautiful love letter to life.
The film starts with Jimmy going to people around his house, inviting them to his “fun-eral,” which is that night. His caretaker, Remy (Reshma Gajjar), arrives home to find him missing, but he gets back soon after. Not long after, Andrew (Lou Taylor Pucci) shows up; he is an obituary writer here to interview Jimmy, and chronicle his last day; he’s not used to getting information from the deceased themselves. And then, Fritti (Debra Wilson) arrives; she is Jimmy’s “death-dula,” who has helped plan Jimmy’s passing. Over the course of the day, we will learn about Jimmy’s life, and his philosophy of living, as well as get visits from an old friend (Cullen G. Chambers); two religious evangelists (Richard Riehle and Galen Howard) protesting Jimmy’s choice; dear friends and neighbors; and- in Jimmy’s case- a figure claiming to be his Intuition- much like Death in “The Seventh Seal,” it follows Jimmy around until it’s time for him to go.
All throughout “Moon Manor,” I could not help but think of my mom. She has shown signs on Alzheimer’s and Dementia in the past few years, and it’s been heartbreaking. That’s why I chose to watch “Moon Manor,” because I wanted to see the way it presented the end of life for someone dealing with the ravage those diseases can take. We don’t get that side of it in the same way “The Father” dealt with it, but Jimmy has probably the most simple, profound way of explaining the disease I’ve ever heard. Carrozo’s performance is beautiful and filled with joy and feeling, and- if the right distributor finds the movie- he would be a surefire Oscar nominee next year. All of the other actors in the film are taking their cues from him, and from his character, and it only elevates the success of what the film accomplishes.
I want to say more about this film, and yet, I want to keep as much of it for the viewer to discover as possible. This review ended up being a bit heavier in its discussion of the ideas behind the film than I expected, but that’s how I was thinking about it when I woke up the morning after watching it. “Moon Manor” is a title that gives you the impression of a film that is kind of silly and enjoyable, and it is, but when you think about it afterwards, it’s so much more than that. Because of the way it tells its story, it’s even more profound than we could have hoped for going in, and more rewarding as a result.
