Summary
Unafraid to wear its influences and commentary on its sleeve, Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina’s film is more than fine in its uplifting tale of homelessness in COVID times (yes, really).
Over the past five years, “hidden homelessness” has been of great interest to indie filmmakers. With each film on the topic shines through the style of their respective creative forces: From the slice-of-life dramedy stylings of Sean Baker (The Florida Project) and Hirokazu Kore-eda (Shoplifters), to the more stoic and contemplative tone of Chloe Zhao’s recent Nomadland.
On the heels of such esteemed works to tackle this subject matter is Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina’s I’M FINE (THANKS FOR ASKING). Bringing a perspective inseparably intertwined with the COVID-19 epidemic, I’M FINE wields its unique contextual circumstances to great effect, offering a glimpse into simultaneous crises facing many Americans – and how new indie filmmakers are capturing this moment through fiction.
Recently widowed and living in a tent with her 8-year-old daughter, Danny (Kelley Kali) is just a few hundred dollars short of paying a deposit on an apartment. But when her usual hairdressing clients flake out on payment, Danny’s promise to her daughter that they will have a home by the end of the day is in peril. Armed with roller skates, Postmates delivery orders, and the strength offered by her late husband’s ring, Danny is determined to make it work.
The influence of filmmakers such as Sean Baker are readily apparent in the film’s colourful aesthetic and empathetic portrait of poverty-affected Americans. This inspiration extends to the independent, no-challenge-too-great ethos behind the production of the film. Restrictions on set sizes meant that much of the crew doubled as the cast, including director-writer Kali in her first lead feature role as Danny. Although this does lead to the occasional wooden line delivery (particularly in the more emotionally-demanding moments), it also lends an endearing, down-to-earth quality which bolsters the film’s overall wholesome tone.
While the big picture is enough to overlook shortcomings when it comes to acting, conversely the script shines in its small moments and details. Danny’s day-long adventure is marred by some predictable story beats and difficult decisions, but it is in its minor encounters that the film really sparks interest, providing social commentary on the gig economy, life during COVID, and performative social norms with a charming wit. Writers Kali, Molina and Roma Kong’s ability to poke holes (and fun) at such topics is on full display when Danny runs into an old acquaintance whilst skating between freelance appointments. They take off their face mask to offer condolences with a misguided attempt at empathy by saying she “knows how devastating that [spousal] loss can be” due to the death of her sister’s husband’s co-worker.
Such light-hearted jabs at privilege and a general positive attitude throughout I’M FINE offer a nice counterbalance to the rather heavy topics it juggles. However, not all of Kali and Molina’s choices work – most glaringly in the use of music. A hodge-podge across genres from hip-hop to house to lyrical ‘Radiohead-esque’ moody tracks, the disparate soundtrack is distracting and overbearing — telegraphing all too clearly what audiences should be feeling and not letting the story and script speak for itself.
Simple story and minor missteps aside, the passion and conviction flowing through I’M FINE is enough to recommend this debut feature effort. Its playful dialogue and uplifting spirit makes it a rare COVID-related story to not inspire dread, but rather compassion and thought.
2021 | USA | DIRECTORS: Kelley Kali and Angelique Molina | WRITERS: Kelley Kali, Angelique Molina, and Roma Kong | CAST: Kelley Kali, Wesley Moss, Deon Cole, Brooklynn Marie, Steven Ira Scipio, Andrew Galvan, Lamar Usher, Brian Brooks II, Jacolyn Holmes, Xing-Mai Deng | DISTRIBUTOR: SXSW 2021 | RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes | RELEASE DATE: 16-20 March 2021 (USA)
