All Creatures Here Below: Rising to the Occasion, by Chase Beck
In this age of summer tent-pole films full of laser beams, aliens, inter-dimensional villains, superheroes, and CGI mascots, sometimes it feels nice to be brought back down to earth. Film, like all entertainment, is a form of escapism. Director Colin Schiffli’s new film, All Creatures Here Below, presents escapism of a rarer kind, one that humanizes those whom we so often choose to disregard or marginalize. Written by David Dastmalchian (whom we are more used to seeing in supporting roles in blockbuster superhero fare) masterfully pens this tale of hope and hardship, of struggling to achieve success and peace against the will of an uncaring world.
Scott (played by Dastmalchian) and Ruby (Karen Gillan) live together, barely scraping by on minimum wage, part-time jobs. Ruby suffers from an unnamed mental impairment and struggles to maintain employment, a task made all the more difficult due to the previous loss of a child. Scott tries his best to love and take care of Ruby but has troubles of his own.
Scott has his own impairments and limitations. Dastmalchian does not sugar-coat this world and we see Scott resorting to the only solutions he has ever known, at times verbally berating Ruby when his plans are met with resistance. Yet, through it all, they remain united, if not in purpose, then at least in heart. He is ultimately unable to escape the damage done to him in the past. As a viewer, I found myself sympathetic, forced by the film to acknowledge the shortcomings and limitations of my own past and upbringing.
It’s impressive that Dastmalchian not only chooses to write on so potentially fraught a subject as this but also that he handles it in so deft a manner. The acting, by both Dastmalchian and Gillan, is also powerfully done. It is a pleasure to see them tackling roles and topics different from the performances for which the actors are well known.
In this age of summer tent-pole films full of laser beams, aliens, inter-dimensional villains, superheroes, and CGI mascots, sometimes it feels nice to be brought back down to Earth. Film, like all entertainment, is a form of escapism. Director Colin Schiffli’s new film, All Creatures Here Below, presents escapism of a rarer kind, one that humanizes those whom we so often choose to disregard or marginalize. David Dastmalchian (whom we are more used to seeing in supporting roles in blockbuster, superhero fare) masterfully pens this tale of hope and hardship, of struggling to achieve success and peace against the will of an uncaring world.
We have been told that depicting mentally challenged individuals in film is a direct route to failure and mockery and we have seen plenty examples of such cinematic folly in the past. However, here, due to the combined efforts of Gillan’s performance, Dastmalchian’s writing, and Schiffli’s directing, it works. I’d also like to credit cinematographer Bongani Mlambo’s work in developing a distinct look and feel for the film.
At its heart a road movie, All Creatures never feels rote, never falls into a pattern, and never develops the episodic feel that so often plagues most films of this genre. This, paired with Dastmalchian and Gillan’s performances, whether onscreen alone or together, are captivating, inviting us into their world. We partake of their sorrows and triumphs, their despair, uncertainty, and decisions. And, through the expert unfolding of the story, we become as responsible as they for the films conclusion. In the end, the film feels a mite small in scope and impact. However, in this day and age, when so many of the cineplexes are projecting universe-obliterating monsters or devices on twenty-foot-high screens, sometimes it feels good to be grounded in a small, simple story told well.
Does Dastmalchian have a first name?
Oops! Somehow the first paragraph got deleted. It’s fixed now. Thanks!
– David
David Dastmalchian’s character in ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW is named Gensan. I’m not sure why this review is stating that they are “Scott” and Ruby. If Gensan’s name truly is supposed to be Scott, then I’m not able to find that information anywhere.