A Mistake Dir: Christine Jeffs (13th Floor Film Review)

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Christine Jeffs returns after a 16-year hiatus with a thoughtful film that addresses accountability, responsibility, transparency, bureaucracy and humanity. And it was shot in Auckland!

Starring: Elizabeth Banks, Simon McBurney, Mickey Sumner, Richard Crouchley, Rena Owen, Matthew Sunderland and Joel Tobeck

Although Jeff’s script is sourced from Kiwi author Carl Shuker’s 2019 novel of the same name, A Mistake could take place in any major Western city.

The story revolves around top surgeon Elizabeth Taylor, played by Elizabeth Banks, who, at the beginning of the film, is forced to operate on a 29-year old patient after a long night shift. The patient, Lisa (Acacia O’Connor) suddenly suffers sharp abdominal pain and surgery is required. Appendicitis is suspected but, once Elizabeth and her team “open her up” (warning: the surgery scenes are graphic) they find septic setting in. The solution is relatively routine but not necessarily always successful. Unfortunately, Elizabeth’s young doctor-in-training, Richard (Richard Crouchley) bungles the procedure, Elizabeth takes over and all seems Ok…Lisa is in recovery, but then, she dies.

From here on, the film becomes a study on how Elizabeth reacts and owns up to the unfortunate outcome. Lisa’s parents, played by Rena Owen and Matthew Sunderland are looking for answers and threatening legal action, while the hospital head Andrew (Simon McBurney) is looking for a scapegoat while attempting to save his hospital’s reputation.

Elizabeth is willing to take the heat, Simon is willing to throw her under the bus, but poor Richard is not coping.

Will all this drama, Elizabeth is also dealing with a disloyal girlfriend, taking care of her sister’s dog and an insect infestation…you know…life.

Jeffs’ script and solid direction, along with Banks’ very strong performance make this a very watchable film. There’s very little action, not much plot but there’s a lot going on behind Banks’ eyes and she and Jeffs communicate what never gets spoken beautifully.

And for us living in Auckland it is cool to see the familiar skyline, Mission bay and Scenic Drive.

A Mistake may not trouble blockbusters like Joker and Beetlejuice at the box office, but for film fans willing to slow down and have a think, this may be just the movie for you.

Marty Duda

A Mistake opens in cinemas today. Click here for tickets and showtimes.

 

 

Marty Duda
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