Supernova

By: gbelly

By: Amos Lassen

"SUPERNOVA"

Time Together

Amos Lassen

Sam (Colin Firth) and Tusker (Stanley Tucci) have been together for 20 years and are on vacation travelling across England in a camper van. Tusker was diagnosed with young-onset dementia two years ago and since then their lives have had to change. The time that they have together is now the most important thing for them. However, as the trip progresses, their individual ideas for their future begin to collide, and their plans and aspirations begin to come apart.

Dementia brings with it unique grief: it blurs conceptions of life and death, self and other. British writer/director Harry Macqueen introduces us to a couple that is dealing with it in "Supernova". The film is something of a two-man chamber piece British road movie.

Sixty-something partners Sam and Tusker travel in a cluttered camper van through the north of England, on what is probably their last vacation before Tusker's health deteriorates, Macqueen's talky original screenplay promises no surprises and we know that there is only one way this journey can go.

Tusker deliberately left the medication that's at least supposed to stall his mental decline behind but he had already decided that it really did nothing for his decline. He was once a celebrated novelist who is now struggling to write. He has made peace with his fate and is independently tying up the loose ends of his life during the uncertain amount of time he has left. Sam, a classical pianist has recently put his career aside to care for Tusker, but is unable to approach things quite so pragmatically and holds onto fast-fading delusions that their companionship will see them through the worst. Whether he's unable to accept the reality more out of defiant love for his life partner of several decades, or his own tremendous fear of being left alone, is the question that "Supernova" explores and it does so with frankness, even when the characters speak around the issue.

Not much happens in "Supernova". Sam and Tusker chat, cuddle, argue, say a few goodbyes and take in the Lake District scenery. The drama comes as the two must gradually drop their defenses of denial and delay, and speak openly and bluntly about what's best for them individually. They have different answers along the way. There can be no compromise.

Firth and Tucci are brilliant and they complement and reflect each other's shortness, evasiveness and tenderness in the way that long-term couples do. Old jokes and teases are lovingly brought up between them with loving half-heartedness.

Firth's Sam is the heart of the film, and beautifully so. His fear, anger and insecurity emerge the more he tries to remain undemonstrative. This could well be his greatest performance.