Tribeca Film Festival: To Dust Review
By David Kempler
Dust Off the Mantle
I have such a weakness for dark comedy when it's done well. The problem is that it is rarely done well and I suppose because of that, not many of these films make it. The other problem is that dark comedy usually doesn't appeal to the masses, who usually prefer standard comedy or drama. Some are allergic to the mixture of comedy and drama, because it makes them uncomfortable, at least in the case of American audiences. Poor babies.
Matthew Broderick has a history of appearing in smaller productions, even though he is more than capable of pulling down bigger roles in bigger films. His latest, "To Dust," is one of his very best roles in one of his very best films. It's not just him, though. His co-star, Geza Rohrig, who was outstanding in "Son of Saul," holds his own with Broderick. Shawn Snyder debuts as writer and director and Jason Begue is the co-writer. Great job by all concerned.
Shmuel (Geza Rohrig) is a Hasidic Jew whose young wife has just passed away from cancer. He is obsessed with thoughts of how her body will decompose. He wants to know what will happen to her until she is returned to dust. Shmuel goes to the religious leaders of his community for answers, but receives nothing he finds of use. At a loss for what to think, he turns to the secular and scientific world, something he is definitely not supposed to do and a world he knows nothing about.
His search takes him to a local community college where he meets Albert (Broderick), a college biology professor who possesses only a little bit more knowledge on how a body decomposes. Shmuel and Albert view each other as being from different planets and they kind of are. Albert tells him that he can't really help him, but Shmuel will not leave him alone, dogging him endlessly and driving Albert nuts.
Eventually, Shmuel wears down Albert and a very odd buddy movie unfolds, as Albert attempts to help Shmuel understand what he is driven to understand. Their odd bonding creates hysterically dark moments and extremely touching ones, too.
There are other sub-plots that also unfold, particularly how Shmuel's behavior is making members of his community wonder if he is having a nervous breakdown. It is Shmuel's sons that are particularly affected.
I can't say enough good things about "To Dust". It is far and away the best film I have seen at Tribeca this year, but that's not all. When 2018 comes to a close, it is guaranteed to be on my top 10 list for the year. The year is young, but right now it's the best film of 2018.
