The Caretaker

It is a uniquely involving experience to watch a story unfold that leaves you unsure about the location of the emotional spectrum you should be most loyal to - The Caretaker achieves precisely this state of confusion. The film is an unsettling story, coupled with a strange sense of darkness, acquired effortlessly by introducing us to the life of a man who serves as the carer of his elderly aunt.

Aunt Fanny, who remains incapacitated in several ways, has become a burden on Carl who never saw himself having had to take care of her for the duration of the time he has now been roped into. As the story progresses, its thematic concerns span the compulsions of the familial space, the frailty of old age and all that it entails, and the financial, practical issues pertaining to existence.

Being a carer sometimes becomes a role that is harder than the experiences of the patient themselves, and yet, the film ensures that what you feel for its protagonist is far from sympathy. Portrayed most beautifully by Sal Rendino, Carl's indifference, resentment, frustrations and anger are brought to the fore for the viewer to witness. Additionally, the narrative does a remarkable job of portraying the relationship with his aunt, offering a conclusion that is imbued with notable and satisfying unpredictability.