Tribeca: Being Bipolar in 'The Year Between'
Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 5:16PM 
Parents don't always expect their children to thrive, and it's normal and actually somewhat common for young adults to return to where they grew up to live for a short time before they find their footing. But some children may be predisposed to not living up to expectations, and that may be through no fault of their own. The Year Between humorously explores the misadventures of Clemence (Alex Heller) recently diagnosed as bipolar. Clemence is presented as a walking nightmare, wreaking havoc wherever she goes...
This forces her terrified roommate to call her mother (J. Smith-Cameron) so that she can stop living in constant fear. When Clemence moves back at home, she mocks her two younger siblings (Emily Robinson and Wyatt Oleff) and makes life very difficult for her mother and father (Steve Buscemi). Clemence is initially very opposed to the idea of treating her illness. The new regimen of medication and therapy leaves her feeling prickly and confrontational. She's also trying to get comfortable in her own skin as she ventured out into the workplace.
The Year Between comes from the self-described bipolar filmmaker Alex Heller, who wrote, directed, and stars in the picture. Her bio notes that she creates mental illness memes on Instagram. This is her first feature film, and she clearly has a personal attachment to the story, vividly expressed in her loud, unapologetic, and deeply flawed character. Rather than serve as a clear redemption story, the narrative is full of obstacles and setbacks; Every time Clemence seems to be doing well, she leans into the wrong decision and undoes the progress. It's a remarkable if often uncomfortable journey but Heller is magnetic at its center.
Heller has assembled a talent cast around her, including the film's standout, Robinson, as her booksmart, younger sister. Smith-Cameron and Buscemi previously starred together in another film called Nancy where they were also parents facing identity obstacles with their daughter. They deliver dependably again here. The film as a a whole may not be entirely nuanced or well-paced, but it's enjoyable and Heller demonstrates tremendous potential that we hope will be displayed in future films. B
The Year Between is screening in the US Narrative Competition section at the 2022 Tribeca Festival.
Reader Comments (1)
It's normal for young adults to return home for a short period of time before they find their feet and figure out their next step in life. This is because returning home often provides them with the support they need to manage their disorder effectively and also do visit https://writix.com/essay-examples/mental-illness site for mental illness there. Additionally, family members are usually more understanding than strangers and are more likely to offer help if they need it.