THE FAREWELL PARTY (2014)

Original title: Mita Tova

Residents of a retirement home build a machine for self-euthanasia in order to help their terminally ill friend, though they are faced with a series of dilemmas when rumors of the machine begin to spread. — IMDB

Another movie in limited release in cinemas looking at the issue of euthanasia (The Last Cab to Darwin is the other one) is THE FAREWELL PARTY. There is a mix of serious reflection and very black gallows humour which force the viewer to confront some of the complex realities of this contemporary ethical issue. The older aged cast put in great performances, some of the scenes requiring, I imaging, considerable courage. Because the movie makers have been prepared to cross the usual boundaries of propriety there are some genuine surprises. Unfortunately, the humour doesn’t always work, occasionally jarring with the overall tone of the movie. The most obvious one is a segment when the characters break out singing – it just doesn’t fit with the rest of the movie. Overall, it is a playfully thought-provoking piece of film making.