[yasr_overall_rating]
The aardvark has evolved to be one of a kind. You could say the same of Josh Norman.
Perhaps the best that can be said about “Aardvark” – and this is no small thing – is that the cast is superb with fine performances all around. “Aardvark” is not a plot-driven vehicle, but rather very much the art house pastiche its limited distribution implies.
Written and directed by Brian Shoaf, the character study centers on Josh Norman played by Zachary Quinto – probably still best known as Spock in the rebooted “Star Trek” film series. Josh has issues. Although he decides to see a therapist because his brother has returned to town, there are other factors swirling about as well. Jenny Slate plays Emily Milburton, Josh’s therapist (not a doctor, as is emphasized several times, but rather a licensed practitioner). Emily too has issues, but then don’t we all?
As the film progresses, we learn that Josh has had a long and complicated relationship with his brother, who has been largely absent in recent years. Josh’s brother, Craig Norman, is played by Jon Hamm in another fine supporting role. The two men share the tragedy of the sudden death of both of their parents in the same year and have struggled to cope, each in his own way.
Early on, Emily lies to Josh about having seen his brother in town, as well the fact that she is sleeping with him. Despite her duplicity and questionable ethics, happily, these do not become the focus of the plot. Rather, the situation gets more complicated as Josh hallucinates visions of his brother in strangers on the street, some of which are real, others not.
One of the fascinating aspects of the many well-written exchanges between the characters is that the therapist gets continually analyzed by her patient. Though obviously troubled, the viewer has the sense that Josh may be a lot smarter than he appears. Throughout the film, for example, Josh has an unnerving way of throwing Emily off-balance at unexpected moments. Maybe most interesting is that it is Emily who carries almost as much baggage as Josh – clearly a function of her own previous failed relationships.
With his mental and emotional undertow, Josh is certainly ill-at-ease, while Craig appears to be urbane and composed and extremely rational. Sometimes it seemed as if this was merely a ruse, a plot device. I kept waiting for a surprise along the lines of a role reversal – say, for example, it would turn out that Craig ultimately manifests the unsettled personality instead of Josh. But then that would make “Aardvark” a conventional movie.
This is a well-acted film, with intelligent dialog. Most importantly, all three leading players bring appropriate gravitas to the production. Also of note is Josh’s girlfriend Hannah, played by Sheila Vand, who may or may not be a real person.
Both Josh and Emily are lonely souls. It’s endearing to see how Craig ultimately provides solace and comfort to both of them. “Aardvark” might feel less than substantial after a first viewing – but the characters stick with you afterward. In the final analysis, isn’t that the best compliment one can give a film?
In theaters Friday, April 13th
It seemed to me the ending was left open to inerpurtatio and you never actually know what’s going. I did not enjoy the confusing movie or the uninterpretable ending.