I KNOW THIS MUCH IS TRUE
US, 2020, 6X 60 minutes, Colour.
Mark Ruffalo, John Procaccino, Ron Huebel, Kathryn Hahn, Melissa Leo, Rosie O' Donnell, Archie Panjabi, Imogen Poots, Bruce Greenwood, Juliette Lewis, Harris Yulin.
Directed by Derek Cianfrance.
This is a six part television miniseries, an adaptation from a novel by Wally Lamb, written and directed by Derek Cianfrance who came to prominence with his films Blue Valentine, The Place Beyond the Pines and, with some filming in Australia, The Light Between Oceans.
The subject is the relationship between twins. Mark Ruffalo, and a tour de force performance, Emmy-nominated, plays both the twins but gives two different performances for the twins. Thomas, has had an ordinary life, study, work, marriage, cot death for his child, marriage breakup, not fulfilling his potential by dedicating himself to the care of his brother, Dominick who suffers from schizophrenia, he hears voices, has a religious mania, is self-destructive.
The film moves in different timelines. It shows the childhood of the twins in the 1950s. John Procaccino plays their stepfather, a demanding man whom Thomas continues to resent. Their mother, with memories of her Italian father, is submissive and loving, played by Melissa Leo. She also has a manuscript, in Italian, by her father which Thomas, in the 1990s, wants translated and approaches an erratic woman, played by Juliette Lewis.
The film also moves back to the twins and their college days, Thomas, achievement, meeting a young woman, Dessa (Aisling Franciosa of the Australian film, The Nightingale), Kathryn Hahn appearing as the older Dessa.
But the key episode, shown earlier in the series, is when the mentally ill Dominick cuts off his hand, sacrificing himself for religious and apocalyptic reasons. Much of the drama in the present focuses on Thomas and his caring for his brother, his brother taken to an institution, the intensity with which Thomas pursues the case, discussions with carers played by Rosie O’Donnell?, very effectively, and a sympathetic performance by Archie Panjabi.
There is tragedy with the death of Dominick, emotions at his funeral, Thomas flaring up against his stepfather, and the continued quiet support of Dessa. And, eventually the mystery of the twins’ father is revealed, adding another complexity to Thomas’ life and his future.
This is a very demanding television series but well worthwhile for insights, dramatics, performances.
1. The title, meaning and tone?
2. A novel, adaptation to a television miniseries? Action from the 1950s to the 1990s?
3. The settings, the 1950s, the countryside, home, school, the later developments, college, workplaces, mental institutions? The musical score?
4. Mark Ruffalo’s performance, as the twins, different look, manner of speaking, size and weight all interactions? The date of their birth, 1949, 1950? Thomas and Dominick? Each over the decades, change?
5. The twins when young, the relationship with their mother, her concern, never revealing the father? Thomas and his questioning? Their stepfather, his behaviour, discipline, severity, treatment of Dominic? The effect on them, resentment? Dependence on their mother? Their mother and her love for their father? Their mother, over the decades, her illness, hospital, Thomas and his concern?
6. The manuscript, the grandfather and his coming from Italy, his hard life? Its later being visualised? As a person, with his wife, the daughter, hardships? His writing of the account? Thomas getting the manuscript from his mother, taking it to the translator? The financial arrangement? The translator, her manner, coming to his house, drinking, coming onto him, his rejection, the taxi, her leaving? The irony of her later reappearance, relationship, but her warnings against Thomas to read the story? Her dislike of the grandfather through the story?
7. The twins growing up, the issue of college, Thomas finding it easy, making friends, the encounter at the diner with Dessa? Dominick finding it harder? Their being together, the writing of assignments? Thomas deciding to move out, leaving Dominick to himself? The friendship with Leo, Leo and Dominick? Dessa, with Thomas, his eventually marrying her?
8. Thomas and Desssa, their marriage, happiness, pregnancy, the birth of the child, the cot death? Thomas unable to cope? Dessa and her grief? The growing alienation, her wanting to go on a trip, the separation and divorce? The stepfather liking Dessa Thomas and Dessa meeting, her being supportive?
9. Thomas, his relationship with Joy, some compensation, Joy as sociable, the friends, her pregnancy – her joy, Thomas in hospital, the vasectomy, her lies?
10. Dominick, growing older, the schizophrenia, the voices, the religious dimensions, quoting the Scriptures, apocalyptic? The mother ill, Dominick not able to visit her, Thomas’s reaction? Her death and the effect on Dominick? His living in his own world? The doctors, nursing staff, institutional life?
11. The dramatic highlight, Dominick and his religious mania, in the diner, the knife, his cutting off his hand – and the hurry to the hospital? The issue of restoring his hand? Dominick’s plea to Thomas, that this was one of his own decisions? The consequent institutionalisation, medical staff, nursing staff, social work?
12. Thomas meeting with Lisa Sheffer, her role, tough manner, straight talk? Her concern about Dominick? Thomas and his criticisms? Her gradual mellowing, care for Dominick, visits, discussions with Thomas, his mellowing towards her? Her taking his side, especially with the hearings and the interview with Dr Hume -and their hold over him for his conduct?.
13. The introduction to Dr Patel, her concern about Dominic, the interviews with Thomas, the continued support?
14. The focus on Thomas and his anguish, his stubbornness, his interviews with the doctor, his demands on the hospitals and institutions? The effect on his health? The background of his painting, the jobs, the clients, on the ladder, his fall, in hospital, his missing the key interview?
15. His stepfather getting older, ill health, the visits, the memories, the father and his regrets, his explanation himself? His love for their mother?
16. Thomas eventually getting custody of Dominick, caring for him at home, Dominick and his love of the pool in the water fall? His going out during the night, his drowning? The search, finding him?
17. The funeral ceremony, those present? The occasion for the clash between Thomas and his stepfather? The stepfather and his going to hospital? Thomas going to visit, some kind of forgiveness? Dessa staying and comforting Thomas?
18. The background of the Drinkwater family, the grandfather and his friendship with the older man, the presence of Ralph Drinkwater throughout the film? The school background, Thomas and being friendly? Meeting Ralph the hospital, getting him to give information about Dominick?
19. The irony of the Drinkwater connection, the father of the twins, Ralph as a cousin, Ralph knowing this but assuming that they were hostile? The Native American background?
20. A portrait of an American family, migration heritage, Native American heritage, the latter part of the 20th century, dysfunction in the family, mental issues? Possibilities for reconciliation?
