If I were to use one word to describe writer/director Sara Friedman's Heightened, it would be "connection." Connection is the heart and soul of this engaging and entertaining flick recently released by Freestyle Digital Media after a successful festival run that included prizes at Naples International Film Festival (Best First Feature) and Coronado Island Film Festival (Audience Award).
Shot in Maine, this low-budget indie benefits from a tremendous ensemble cast led by Friedman and her absolute command of the multiple layers of our central character, Nora. Mental health is at the core of Heightened, Friedman's Nora putting on full display what it's like to live with anxiety and OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). While she's made her way through law school, it's sitting for the bar exam that brings Nora to her pivotal moment. It's a moment that will go undescribed here, however, suffice it to say that the journey that follows is in many ways make or break for the adorable yet obviously troubled young woman.
I must confess that Nora reminded me of a friend of mine, a similarly gifted young woman who, like Nora, made her way through graduate school only to experience her own "pivotal moment" in her final days. Thus, I instantly found myself drawn to Nora and Nora is, in turn, brought wonderfully to life by Friedman. While Friedman is undeniably the narrative center of Heightened, a tremendous ensemble surrounds her including the real-life husband/wife of Xander Berkeley and Sarah Clarke as Nora's parents, a spot-on perfect Dave Register as Dusty, and Mike Mitchell as Mitch.
While Heightened is frequently filled with naturally earned laughs, Friedman's intuitive and empathetic script never makes light of mental health concerns and instead infuses the dialogue with radical yet hope-tinged honesty. It's a court-ordered volunteer gig at a state park that introduces Nora to Dave Register's Dusty, a park ranger with his own set of anxiety issues. Friedman aligns the two together in a way that feels comforting, honest, and realistic.
Friedman doesn't avoid the more challenging aspects of life with mental health concerns, however, over the course of Heightened reinforces the importance of human connection and the vitality of open communication and having those who simply "get it."
As one would likely expect, Clarke and Berkeley are absolute gems here and convincingly capture the reality of parents who inadvertently contribute to their adult child's ongoing issues. Yet, Friedman wisely avoids laying blame and instead prefers to simply tell an honest, meaningful story.
Original music by Nick Sena is effective throughout and Rose Fadem-Johnston's lensing captures all the little nuances of Nora without ever turning her into a caricature.
Heightened gently yet honestly tells a complex story and yet reinforces time and again the value of active listening and holding space during our hardest times. This is a film that I felt deep within my soul, however, it's also a film that made me laugh and left me feeling a little bit better as the closing credits were scrolling by. Available now via your usual streaming platforms, Heightened is a film to check out for those who appreciate well-developed, emotionally complex characters and a believably empathetic portrayal of mental health issues and daily life.
Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic
