Which is scarier: starting something brand new, or leaving for the last time? Both ideas offer a list of things to be afraid of – and, for an anxious mind, all of the possibilities that could occur as a result. Director H.P. Mendoza’s film, The Secret Art of Human Flight, makes the audience confront this interesting duality, as when one thing ends, another thing must begin – or else life simply ceases to exist.
Ben Grady (Grant Rosenmeyer) is stuck in grief after the passing of his wife. While looking for anything to take his mind off his pain, he encounters a weird video on the internet that leads him to the dark web. A self-help book written by an enigmatic guru named “Mealworm” (Paul Raci) claims to have harnessed the power of flight – and that he can teach others to do it, too. When the book arrives, Mealworm is soon to follow, and the true journey of discovery begins.
Grief, and how we respond to it, is fertile soil for storytelling. No matter how hard we cling to the things we love, there is an ending somewhere in the timeline. In one of the most powerful moments in the film, it is said by Sarah (Reina Hardesty) in a video left for Ben: “If you want something to start, if you want it to exist, you have to be okay with it having an ending.” She’s talking about Ben’s writing and his claim that he can’t write endings. Yet, this statement is clearly applicable to the circle of life.
Ben is struggling to find a purpose after Sarah’s death. He gets lost in this crazy possibility of human flight, and this mysterious guru. Then, there are some questions about Sarah’s sudden death that make Ben look like a possible suspect. He is trying to maintain some closeness with his sister (Lucy DeVito) and brother-in-law (Nican Robinson). No one truly seems to grasp what he’s going through, except for Wendy (Maggie Grace), a friend of Sarah’s who has experienced the loss of a spouse. All of these elements swirl around Ben while he tries to make sense of the sudden end to what was mostly a happy marriage.
That’s what really resonated with me. It’s not just about loss, but it is also about starting again. Both of those things are extremely hard for any person to deal with. The unknown is scary, and the loss of the familiar is equally so. However, these two things always happen simultaneously, and we have to deal with them both. Once something ends, inherently something new must begin to fill that void. How we choose to interact and shape the new thing is in direct conversation with the old one and the loss we are experiencing. It is a lot to grapple with, and I’m not sure if I’ve seen a film — whether intentionally or accidentally– address this idea in this way.
The Secret Art of Human Flight contains a tiny cast, and Raci shines yet again. He is perfect in this role of counselor or mentor figure we’ve now seen him play in Sound of Metal and Sing Sing (see this movie as soon as possible). Rosenmeyer brings real pathos to the character and manages to add both fun and melancholy to the character. His connection with Raci, Grace, and DeVito all help make the film feel very personal and lived in.
There is pure humanity captured in Mendoza’s The Secret Art of Human Flight that should make it resonate with audiences. It is equal parts funny, sad, hopeful, and whimsical. I think there is an element to the story and its presentation that could help some people grapple with their own stories of loss. The method of story delivery makes it a little less of a harsh pill to swallow.
The Secret Art of Human Flight ON DEMAND starting August 23.
Rating: 4/5
Berkreviews.com 