This will be one of many reviews during this year’s Sundance Film Festival, to keep up with our latest coverage, click here.
Representation is important on film but it has to be supported by enough compelling substance to make it mean something. Meanwhile, war films for the most part have mostly been a man’s game in terms of characters and story. Mayday is an empowering feminist war film that looks to do something different. Unfortunately, a paper-thin story makes it fall flat. While this will surely not apply to all viewers, its convoluted story makes it challenging to connect with it or its characters thus lessening any potential impact of said message. Nevertheless, its retro setting and impressive cast each do wonders though they can only do so much. Despite that, one can’t help but see the kind of film it could have been and feel a little disappointed. A better balance between its message of female empowerment and a compelling story was arguably the biggest thing missing here.
Mayday follows a young woman named Ana (Van Patten) who is transported to a mysterious island in the middle of a raging war fought by a small army of young women, led by Marsha (Goth), their fearless leader. Over the course of the film and Ana’s time with these young women, Ana found her strength and independence as she felt a sense of sisterhood. That character arc shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone and the contrast from the beginning to the end comes off as forced due to the thin characters and story. While it was still somewhat compelling to watch, it was just hard to care as she inevitably broke through her funk and took charge. In the end, the performances across the board were good but it was just a shame that they weren’t given better material. Along with the decent score and cinematography, kept things at least watchable.
Mayday is a film that’s going to mean different things to different viewers. Those looking for a different war film may enjoy this one but most will be left wanting more.
still courtesy of Sundance
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
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