In a landscape of ever-decreasing attention spans and the ever-quickening churning of content to our screens, director (and editor) justinsuperstar (Justin Johnson) has created an oasis of nuance, depth and precision with his film "Mom and Dad's Nipple Factory."
This film is a revelation.
Johnson reflects an astounding clarity of purpose through his steadfast objectivity in the portrayal of not only his family, but of himself as well.
It's a clear choice throughout the film to feature whole truths, Johnson's included, as his family's struggles and joys are chronicled with vulnerabilities in full view, as too is the incredible strength, determination and compassion the Johnson's find in facing those vulnerabilities.
There are multiple storylines that resonate from this film, but one I didn't expect going into the story ended up being one that stands out most to me and deserves some attention as well:
A significant part of this story is really a second-coming-of-age journey about Johnson's relationship with his family. Johnson also gives us an intimate view of another truth that few of us admit: being loved unconditionally isn't always easy.
Especially growing up and feeling miscast in life, when we yearn for acceptance and understanding, which can feel decidedly different than unconditional love.
Johnson's experience is one many of us can relate to-and one which spurs most of those first coming-of-age times in our lives. Escaping what felt like the suffocating influence of his world at home, Johnson left to establish self-reliance and find acceptance of the differences he felt were driving him apart from those at home.
The journey of Johnson's perspective shifting over time is one that will feel familiar to anyone who has ever grown up, as will his realization that what he really values and wants in the end, is to be closer to family and home. There, he finds reconnection with his now-adult siblings and not only reconnection with parents', but a newfound appreciation for each of them beyond their parental identities, as he comes to see the depth of their humanity in a way we aren't able to growing up.
Because of that, the "nipple factory" story comes to light, which as other reviews have described, is beyond uplifting-it's restorative to one's belief in the human spirit's ability to prevail against loss and despair and the power to overcome any division through compassion.
Another highlight: I'm blown away by how perfectly the film is put together. Meticulous editing paid off, but it had to have been a painstaking effort.
I can't imagine making decisions about how to piece together and represent what seems to be somewhere in the ballpark of around 40 years of family home videos-from a family with two prolific family documentarians in both Johnson and his father.
There is purpose, meaning and truth in every shot of this film. That's worthy of laurel on its own-but it soars with its impeccable timing, pace and score, as well as the profound sense of place imparted by shot choices throughout-all together a contemporary gem.
