Quality Problems

Quality Problems is an indie gem by Brooke Purdy, who is not just one of the film's leads but also its writer and co-director. Joined by her husband Doug Purdy, both of them off and on the screen, and her real life children Maxwell and Scout Purdy, Brooke offers a genuine and fresh perspective on something often overlooked in mainstream cinema: moving life portraits of families dealing with chronic illnesses, while maintaining a whimsical and light-hearted atmosphere.

The story is centered around the daily lives of the Bailey family, comprising Bailey (Brooke Purdy) and her husband Drew (Doug Purdy), along with their two children (their real-life progeny). Bailey is an event planner – an organized, smooth-mover, a do-it-her-way kind of a woman – who appreciates her busy life even as she juggles between her event business and her cancer treatment. The pragmatic Bailey tackles everything with grit and a sense of humor which seeps into every frame and dialogue of the film.

However, things take a troubling turn for the Baileys. When Bailey’s health deteriorates, Drew takes charge and steps up his role as a caregiver, a lateral shift in their roles but a seismic change in their life. The Perdy couple work their myriad shades with utmost expertise as their characters undergo these transitions, reflecting the real experiences within their family.

The dynamic shared by the two leads is powerful and relatable; they represent an ordinary American couple dealing with extraordinary circumstances. They show that despite the adversities they face, life still goes on and needs to be celebrated. This philosophy is reflected in Bailey's determination to plan a birthday party for their daughter, regardless of the chaos spiraling around their daily routine.

Maxwell and Scout Purdy are delightfully charming with childlike innocence, providing a beautiful contrast to the otherwise serious premise of the film. We see how their characters grow to understand their mom’s medical condition. They beautifully reflect the resiliency young children often display when confronted with hard truths.

In general, the movie walks a tightrope delicately balancing humor and heartbreak. It captures the reality of cancer and ways it affects not just the patient but also those around them. Yet, it never downplays the seriousness of the disease, seeing it as a quality problem that needs fixing. The audience is invited into the daily lives of those who live and confront cancer.

The Purdys balance comedy with heart-touching moments, showcasing the realities of long-term medical ailments like cancer. They masterfully deal with heavy topics such as fear, vulnerability, and resilience in the face of life’s unpredictability. It seems that comedy here is not merely a coping mechanism but an attitude towards life. The wit and humor the characters exhibit are incredibly refreshing and optimistic.

The beauty of "Quality Problems" lies in the fact that it's a film that places itself at the intersection of genres – it's a comedy within a tragedy, a tear-jerker with an undercurrent of humor. All characters are skillfully realized, delicately portraying the challenges, triumphs, and frustrations that come with such a harsh reality.

Thanks to Brooke Purdy's spot-on script and meticulous attention to detail, "Quality Problems" features strikingly real and relatable situations. As a filmmaker, she effectively uses humor as a curtain to explore the weighty aspects of human life. Overall, it's an incredible piece of cinema offering a unique blend of comedy and drama wrapped up in the genuine and engaging narrative of a family dealing with illness. With gasps of emotions and frequent bursts of laughter, Quality Problems delivers an exceptional experience for its audience.

Overall, Quality Problems is a bottomless well of emotion, filled with warmth, resilience, and moments of raw, potent insight. It underlines that life, even in the face of adversities, can and should be enjoyed. An inspiring drama filled with humor, this cinematic creation is a heartfelt rendition of a family's fight against the vicissitudes of life. It highlights the less spoken about, the seriousness of life, but with a light-hearted approach, setting it apart in the vast landscape of indie cinema. The film is a roller coaster ride of emotions, a story of strength, love, and hope, which ultimately underlines: Life, despite its quality problems, must go on.