All My Puny Sorrows

All My Puny Sorrows

Year: 2022

Runtime: 103 min

Language: English

Director: Michael McGowan

Echo Score: 61
Drama

Bound by a deep and complex relationship, two sisters confront the challenges of existence. One sister grapples with overwhelming despair and the struggle to pursue her artistic aspirations, while the other undertakes a journey of personal growth. Through moments of humor and heartache, they explore themes of family, creativity, and resilience, drawing inspiration from Miriam Toews' acclaimed novel.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – All My Puny Sorrows (2022)

Explore the full timeline and setting of All My Puny Sorrows (2022). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events of the movie unfold in contemporary times, highlighting current societal issues surrounding mental health, suicide, and the complexities of familial relationships. Today's discussions about assisted suicide and the stigma around mental health are also prevalent themes.

Location

Switzerland, Toronto

Switzerland is known for its picturesque landscapes and serene environment, often associated with peaceful living and high quality of life. Toronto, on the other hand, is a bustling urban center in Canada, known for its multiculturalism and vibrant arts scene, offering a stark contrast to Elf's turbulent inner life.

🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇨🇦 Toronto

Last Updated: February 04, 2025 at 09:32

Main Characters – All My Puny Sorrows (2022)

Meet the key characters of All My Puny Sorrows (2022), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Yolandi 'Yoli' Von Riesen (Sarah Gadon)

Yoli is a single mother struggling with her career as an author while dealing with the emotional turmoil of her sister's mental health crisis. Her journey reflects a mix of anger, love, and helplessness as she grapples with her sister's desire for assisted suicide and the weight of familial expectations.

👩‍👧 Motherhood 😥 Grief 📚 Struggle

Elfriede 'Elf' Von Riesen (not specified)

Elf is a talented concert pianist battling severe depression, leading her to seek assisted suicide. Her character embodies the tragic consequences of mental health struggles and the profound effects of familial legacy, as she feels trapped by both her talents and her pain.

🎹 Talent 🌧️ Despair 🕊️ Freedom

Tina (Mimi Kuzyk)

Tina serves as a supportive aunt in the family, her character embodies resilience as she undergoes surgery while dealing with the family's tumultuous dynamics regarding mental health and loss. Her presence emphasizes the challenges in keeping the family united during crises.

👵 Support 💪 Resilience 💔 Family

Last Updated: February 04, 2025 at 09:32

Major Themes – All My Puny Sorrows (2022)

Explore the central themes of All My Puny Sorrows (2022), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Mental Health

Mental health is a central theme in the film, exploring the struggles of individuals like Elf dealing with severe emotional pain. It delves into the impact of family history on mental well-being and the societal pressures that can worsen these struggles, portraying the tragic consequences that can arise from unaddressed mental health issues.

🚨 Loss

The theme of loss permeates throughout the narrative, from Yoli losing her sister to the family's collective grief over past tragedies. The devastating impact of suicide on families is poignantly depicted, underlying the emotional weight that follows such tragic events.

Last Updated: February 04, 2025 at 09:32

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Family dramas about shared grief like All My Puny Sorrows

Family dramas centered on collective grief after a shared tragedy.If you were moved by the portrayal of family bonds tested by tragedy in All My Puny Sorrows, explore these other movies. They are similar dramas where a family or group must navigate the complex aftermath of a shared, heartbreaking event.

grievingheart-wrenchingsomberfamily dramatraumaticresilientemotional

Narrative Summary

These stories typically begin with or shortly after a devastating event that impacts a core group. The narrative follows the fractured responses of each character, exploring denial, anger, bargaining, and acceptance not as linear stages but as a messy, interwoven tapestry of emotions that either pulls the family apart or forges a new, deeper understanding.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their central focus on the dynamics of a family or unit processing grief together. They share a heavy emotional weight, a melancholic or bittersweet tone, and a character-driven exploration of resilience and love in the face of immense sorrow.

Movies about sisters and mental health like All My Puny Sorrows

Intense stories of sisters navigating mental health crises and inherited pain.For viewers who appreciated the deep exploration of sisterhood and mental anguish in All My Puny Sorrows, this list highlights similar films. These stories focus on the powerful, often painful, bond between sisters as they confront depression, trauma, and the weight of family history.

sisterhoodmental healthtragicintrospectivecaregiverinherited traumasomberresilient

Narrative Summary

The core of these narratives is the dynamic between two or more sisters, where one is often grappling with severe mental illness or existential despair, and the other becomes a caregiver or reluctant anchor. The plot unfolds through this push-and-pull of love, frustration, and the ethical and emotional turmoil of supporting someone who may not want to be saved.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific focus on the sister relationship as the primary vehicle for exploring heavy themes like suicide, depression, and inherited trauma. They share a high emotional intensity, a steady, intimate pacing, and a tone that blends deep melancholy with moments of fierce familial love.

Unlock the Full Story of All My Puny Sorrows

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All My Puny Sorrows Summary

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All My Puny Sorrows Summary

All My Puny Sorrows Timeline

Track the full timeline of All My Puny Sorrows with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

All My Puny Sorrows Timeline

All My Puny Sorrows Spoiler-Free Summary

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All My Puny Sorrows Spoiler-Free Summary

More About All My Puny Sorrows

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