Writer and director, Dylan Reid (who also stars as himself) has created an autobiographical story that details the aftermath of being diagnosed with Huntington’s disease, and how those around him deal with the devastating news. Huntington’s disease is a condition that stops parts of the brain working properly over time, leading to involuntary movements and a decline in thinking and reasoning abilities. The typical life expectancy once symptoms have begun is around 20 years.
Although Dylan has come to terms with the diagnosis, this doesn’t make it any easier for his friends. However he supports them as much as they try and support him. This is particularly true of Dylan’s roommate, Lucas (Laith Khalifeh), who is having a hard time with his girlfriend, Emily (Whitney Masters). While those who have known Dylan since he was a child contend with the idea of seeing their friend struggle the same way they saw his mother, who also had Huntington’s, struggle, Dylan decides to keep the diagnosis a secret from those who are new in his life.
The development of Dylan’s relationship with Lizzie is truly beautiful. Grainne Ortlieb is wonderful as Lizzie, creating great chemistry with Reid. The pair bounce off each other with that effortless ease that comes with being in love. She wants to write a book, and he wants to make a film. They are creatively and emotionally engaged. But keeping the diagnosis a secret from Lizzie can only go on for so long. The complex subject of navigating relationships with the knowledge of a terminal illness affecting the future is treated with sensitivity, but also a realism that refuses to shy away from that which is uncomfortable. When Lizzie accidentally finds out there is something Dylan isn’t telling her, she confronts him. But instead of explaining the situation, he pushes her away.
After doing some soul searching, Dylan realises he needs to tell Lizzie the truth. He invites her over and, using some scenes from the film he has begun making, explains what will happen to him in the future. By the Grace of… doesn’t shy away from the fact that this is a huge revelation for someone to deal with, and also something someone may not want to deal with. This scene contains my favourite shot of the film which I feel the need to draw special attention to – Lizzie and Dylan stand in front of the light of a projector, cast in silhouette against the glaring light. Truly beautiful.
By the Grace of… leaves a deep impression on the mind for many reasons beyond the difficulty and emotionally wrought situation Dylan faces. Although this is naturally a very important and unavoidable fact, the film explores exactly why Reid has chosen not to centralise tragedy. The self-reflexive nature of By the Grace of… creates parallels between Dylan attempting to write a film about his experience and the reality of the film/ documentary that was brought into existence by Reid. This self-reflexive mirroring explains some of the artistic choices made in the film and allows the audience greater emotional access to the thoughts and feelings of the director.
The narrative elements combined with the documentary style interviews with Reid’s real life friends (who also feature in the film) work well together to capture a multidimensional emotional portrait of Reid’s experience. Flashbacks to Dylan’s childhood and his experience of having a mother who suffered with Huntington’s, together with haunting dreamlike sequences of his future add another level to the creativity of the film. The cinematography and editing is excellent throughout, with credit to Henry Zaballos for the cinematography, Reid and Blake Montgomery for the editing.
By the Grace of… is a highly moving and beautiful film that remains beautiful despite not shying away from the uglier parts of truth. Reid has managed to capture himself and his experience with both objective distance and intimate closeness – an extremely difficult line to walk. A triumph of genre blending, carried out with utmost poise.
Watch the trailer below.