Palindromes

What stands out first about Palindromes is the confidence with which Todd Solondz establishes its comedy identity. Rather than relying on premise alone, Palindromes asks Jennifer Jason Leigh and Ellen Barkin to supply personality from the opening stretch. The premise of Palindromes is established with useful clarity: Aviva is thirteen, awkward and sensitive. That direct approach lets Palindromes use its 1h 40m running time for character, atmosphere and consequence.

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The craft of Palindromes is defined by well judged reactions, supported by well judged reactions rather than overwhelmed by decoration. Extra Large Pictures gives Palindromes a production framework in which performer rhythm can remain connected to story. Made from a United States production context, Palindromes uses setting and design to clarify mood before dialogue has to explain it. The technical finish of Palindromes works because image, sound and editing appear to be serving the same immediate purpose.

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Beneath its plot, Palindromes is most interested in embarrassment, status and the gap between confidence and reality. That concern becomes visible through Jennifer Jason Leigh, whose choices allow Palindromes to explore an idea without stopping for a speech. Aviva gives the themes of Palindromes a concrete dramatic form rather than leaving them abstract. The emotional value of Palindromes grows whenever Todd Solondz trusts the audience to connect behaviour with the larger question.

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Palindromes benefits from Todd Solondz being engaging in bursts but unable to maintain the same control about what each sequence needs to accomplish. Instead of making every beat equally loud, Todd Solondz lets Palindromes create contrast between pressure and release. Worthwhile ideas compete with an uneven structure throughout Palindromes, with the strongest decisions feeling connected to character rather than display. It is still fair to say that Palindromes suffers because the pace alternates between hurry and drift, but the problem remains contained.

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Jennifer Jason Leigh gives Palindromes its most dependable performance, finding a clear emotional intention beneath the plot. Opposite Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ellen Barkin brings Palindromes a contrasting pace that prevents the central relationship from feeling flat. Stephen Adly Guirgis widens the ensemble of Palindromes through reactions that suggest a life beyond the immediate scene. Todd Solondz serves the cast of Palindromes best when a look or pause is allowed to finish before the story moves on.

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At story level, Palindromes turns Aviva and Joyce into the source of its main tension. The role played by Jennifer Jason Leigh becomes the viewer's route through Palindromes, especially when Steve begins to alter the situation. Todd Solondz gives Palindromes momentum by allowing choices to create consequences instead of treating each scene as isolated information. Even when the central character pushes the plot toward familiar ground, Palindromes remains attentive to what that pressure means for its characters.

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Taken as a whole, Palindromes is a qualified recommendation for comedy fans who respond to personality and timing. Palindromes leaves its strongest impression through well judged reactions, the work of Jennifer Jason Leigh and a clear understanding of tone. The limitations around how the pace alternates between hurry and drift should be acknowledged, but they do not erase what Palindromes does well. I would return to Palindromes for its personality and its willingness to connect genre pleasure with recognisable feeling.