Review: “A Little Prayer” Brings a Heavy Dose of Empathy to This Raucous Political Moment

The film “A Little Prayer” carries that title because it is just that – quiet, gentle, compassionate, humble, grateful and entreating.

Set in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, it tells the story of a family that appears to be living well together. The father, Bill (played incomparably by David Strathairn) and the mother, Venida (Celia Weston, a remarkable presence in MacLachlan’s movies, including “June Bug”) have fixed up an in-law type house behind their own for their son, David (Will Pullen) who works with dad, and their daughter-in-law, Tammy (played beautifully by Jane Levy), who offers patient and loving care to her in-laws. Another adult daughter resides driving distance away, but only shows up (with her child) when she needs a break from her problematic marriage.

So far, perhaps typical.

But beneath this every day kind of living are troubles. The father served in Vietnam; the son in Iraq. The consequences are slowly revealed to the audience. The daughter-in-law was “rescued from the holler” by her husband David who appears to take her for granted. Tammy and her father-in-law share early morning coffee, walks outdoors, and an appreciation for a woman who sings gospel songs near daybreak in the neighborhood. We, and they, never know who she is. Venida wants her husband Bill to call the police about the songster because she is beyond annoyed by her voice and her consisten morning presence. Venida also seems clueless about what’s up with the family’s relationships, and what to do about any problem except to tell her husband what to do or not do. However, like lots of mothers, we discover later, she actually knows the most about what’s going on with everyone.

When Bill finds out his son is having an affair, he wants to take him aside and tell him to behave, not only because he feels it his duty, but because he does not want his daughter-in-law, of whom he is so fond, to be hurt. His wife cautions against it, taking the “It’s none of our business” approach. “It is theirs to figure out, Bill.” But the former captain in the army will not stand by, and after observing his son acting inappropriately at work and after many sleepless nights fighting his righteous instincts, he decides to speak to his son about what he knows.

Thus, the creek that has merely been rippling beneath the calm becomes a potentially threatening flood of powerful emotions and truth-telling.

Luckily, this week, the Chicago Critics Film Festival is screening “A Little Prayer.” Unfortunately, it is one night only. Thursday, May 8, 7:15 PM, at the Music Box Theater. Angus MacLachlan and Jane Levy will be in attendance for a Q & A following the show.

This is both a rare opportunity and a rare film. It is, as the reviewer in Variety says, “…sensitive, modest, a story so small it could be contained in a teardrop…” Surprisingly, at this time in our raucous political culture, it holds itself apart by its remarkable thoughtfulness and empathy.

One of the final scenes is a particularly poignant moment between David and Tammy, father-in-law and daughter-in-law. Their conversation is touching, honest, and vulnerable. We feel as if we are listening to a little, but profound prayer. We hold our breath, not wanting any sound to interrupt. From Variety, “…Tammy shares her truth, as MacLachlan has the entire film, and we take it in, wanting to whisper a quiet ‘amen.’”