I SMILE BACK
SP D: Adam Salky. U.S. 85 min. Sep 16, 7 pm Princess of Wales Sep 17, 1 pm Elgin Sep 19, 6:45 pm Bloor Hot Docs. See listing. Rating: NNN
The problem with I Smile Back is that it tells a story we’ve seen dozens of times before.
Sarah Silverman is unimpeachable as Laney, a suburban wife and mother who self-medicates her depression with risky sexual choices and riskier substance abuse – but she’s already played a version of this character in Take This Waltz, a film that felt far more daring in its depiction of marital despair.
Director Salky tries to compensate for his story’s familiarity by amping up the intensity of Laney’s depravity, but he still pulls back when he needs to push forward. It’s the safest movie about self-destruction you’ll see this year.