So before I highlight the positives of the film, I have to highlight the negative. Aside from the issue of the abortion situation I pointed out earlier in this review, I also thought that this film was a bit too politically driven at times. I felt that too many issues being discussed at once. Of course, there is the issue of abortion and disabilities, which I was fine with being in the film because it was the driving plot point of the film. But then things like race, racial stereotypes, homosexuality, religion, non-profit organizations and who they are actually benefiting, all being thrown into the mix and it gets to be a bit too much all at once.
As for the positives, I feel that it had quite a few positives. I think the film did spotlight awareness on children with disabilities, specifically children with down syndrome. I think that it showed what these children are capable of. I also think that the film did show that it takes a lot of love, patience, work, and even money in most cases, to raise children with disabilities. It was very truthful in that way. The film did not sugarcoat anything, nor did it ever feel one-sided.
“I felt for her character and was finding myself often siding with [her] decisions…”
Jasmine Batchelor is a star. You could tell that she knew the character very well to the point where Jess felt very real. I felt for her character and was finding myself often siding with the decisions her character made. Enough can not be said about her performance in this film, and it does so much for the film.
An interesting thing about The Surrogate is that it did not have one note of music in the film, aside from the characters playing with a piano in one scene. This was obviously an intentional move, but not sure what the reasoning was. It’s possible that the lack of score could make the film feel more real and less like you are watching a film. With that being said, the lack of music can sometimes make the film feel like it is dragging a bit.
The subject of the film is pretty heavy, which is putting it lightly. The film takes a unique plot and strives to hit every emotional string you have in your body. It is definitely an emotional rollercoaster but can be considered too much for some viewers.
The Surrogate was scheduled to screen at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival.
"…the film is pretty heavy, which is putting it lightly."
