Movie Review ~ Time Passages

Memory is tricky – selective, unreliable, and sometimes painfully sharp. In Time Passages, filmmaker Kyle Henry grapples with these contradictions as he charts the final months of his mother Elaine’s late-stage dementia during the isolation of the pandemic.  Juxtaposing intimate family footage with Henry’s attempts to reconcile his complicated emotions toward his mother and upbringing, this is a deeply personal documentary that serves as both an elegy for a wrenching loss and a self-reflection on a life. It’s an undeniably heartfelt effort, but it occasionally feels more cathartic for its creator than compelling for its audience.

Using a treasure trove of Super-8 home movies and Kodachrome stills, Henry travels back in time, piecing together a narrative that explores his family’s Texas roots, his mother’s life, and the unspoken dynamics that shaped their relationships.   There’s also a healthy history of Kodak (I’m surprised it wasn’t funded by the film photography company that’s been in business since 1892) and the impact of cameras in culture during the period Henry grew up.

The film’s visual style is its standout feature, blending the nostalgic aesthetics of film and photography with more experimental sequences creatively designed by Henry.  At its best, Time Passages evokes a profound sense of loss and longing, particularly in quieter moments. Watching Elaine’s vibrant younger self fade into the fog of dementia is heartbreaking, a stark reminder of time’s relentless march.

The pandemic provides an eerily appropriate backdrop for this meditation on isolation and connection. As COVID-19 forced physical separation between family members, Henry found himself documenting his mother’s decline from an agonizing distance. This forced remoteness adds another layer of poignancy to an already emotional journey, though it sometimes amplifies the film’s tendency toward solitary reflection.

However, the film’s introspection sometimes works against it. The film’s most experimental moments – staged dialogues where Henry plays both himself and his mother – often feel more awkward than illuminating. While the intent is clear, the execution leaves something to be desired. I’m still not certain if Henry (an out gay man) and his mother (a Texan mother with staunch beliefs) ever had as deep of a conversation about his sexuality that left him with any acceptance or closure.  I understand that’s what some of these scenes are meant to achieve, but there are hints that Elaine leaned on her son for support in her marriage.  Was it ever fully reciprocated?

The lack of other family perspectives also creates a one-sided narrative that misses an opportunity for greater depth. The absence of these different voices in Time Passages creates a curious vacuum in what is ostensibly a story about family bonds. While the one-sided nature of the narrative matches the isolation of the pandemic era, it also leaves viewers wondering about the broader family dynamics that shaped both mother and son. Including outside viewpoints from siblings or extended family might have offered a more nuanced exploration of Elaine’s impact.

Grief is a universal experience, and the pandemic’s isolating effects only amplified the pain of watching a loved one slip away. Time Passages taps into that shared anguish, offering moments of catharsis amidst its self-examination. Yet, it’s hard not to wish for a bit more distance—a broader lens through which the audience could connect with Henry’s journey.  However, his willingness to explore the messy, complicated aspects of family relationships offers validation for viewers struggling with complex emotions about aging parents and changing family dynamics.  The film is a poignant but uneven entry, resonating most strongly with those who have walked a similar path.