Melanie (Stefania LaVie Owen) and Dawn (Lili Taylor), an incredibly close mother and daughter, find that both of their futures may be derailed due to ever-increasing symptoms of Dawn’s mental illness. It’s a riveting story of love, loyalty, and reality as Melanie looks toward her future through the lens of the adult she has yet to become.
Melanie, a gifted student athlete whose friends choose to celebrate their senior year differently, is focused on the next step in her life–college. The recent death of her father, hanging over both she and her mom, casts a longer and darker shadow on them than wither could have ever predicted. Dawn has her own inner demons to deal with, all exacerbated by her husband’s early demise and the promise of her daughter’s departure, which pushes her mental illness to the forefront of life. Melanie, now keenly aware that Mom has problems, must make life-altering decisions for both herself and her mother.
We get a glimpse into Dawn’s inner paranoia when a new neighbor moves in, hitting a tree in her yard. This one event catapults Dawn’s paranoia as she hyper-focuses upon the new neighbor who she “knows” is spying on her and threatening her with violence. Trapped into her mother’s delusions, Melanie attempts to make sense of it all, asking for guidance from her school counselor all while navigating the muddy waters of adolescence.
As Dawn’s symptoms become worse, Melanie is confronted with seeing her mother for who she really is. Dawn’s perception of her environment results in odd and unpredictable reactions, accentuating the dire situation in which Melanie finds herself. Self preservation is pitted against love and loyalty of a parent making this an emotionally exhausting journey for all. It’s heartbreaking to see the revelation of reality hit Melanie, forcing her to make adult decisions for herself and her mother.
Lili Taylor’s compassionately authentic performance creates a character with whom we are immediately connected. She’s at once relatable as we take comfort in her closeness with her daughter as pangs of loss loom over her, preparing for the loneliness that awaits. Taylor takes the foundation of her character and transforms gradually and flawlessly. Owen’s deeply textured performance ties the story together, written expertly by Inon Shampanier and Natalie Shampanier. Owen lets us into her mind and into her emotions so that we can more fully understand the depth of the situation. Seeing the world through Owen’s character’s eyes allows the viewer to experience the trials and tribulations of being a teen, but compounded by tragedy and tragic moments.
While the final act of the film feels rushed, too eager to wrap it all up, this doesn’t take away from the emotional component and the ability to more fully understand the impact mental illness has on not just an individual, but a family and a community. “Paper Spiders” finds a way to open our eyes and our hearts to better comprehend the need for education, services, and neighbors to look out for one another.
3 1/2 stars