In the landscape of personal documentary filmmaking, few works strike with the raw emotional force of Myrid Carten's A Want in Her. This isn't merely a film about addiction; it's a devastatingly intimate portrait of a daughter's lifelong struggle with her mother's demons, captured with unflinching honesty that will leave viewers profoundly moved.
A Daughter's Unblinking Gaze
Carten turns the camera on her own family with courageous vulnerability, documenting her mother's battle with addiction across years of turmoil. What emerges isn't a sensationalised account, but a nuanced exploration of the complex bond between mother and daughter when shadowed by substance abuse. The film's power lies in its refusal to simplify - neither mother nor daughter emerges as purely victim or villain.
Beyond the Stereotypes of Addiction
Where many addiction narratives fall into familiar tropes, A Want in Her subverts expectations. Carten captures the messy, contradictory reality of loving someone through their self-destruction. The film explores how addiction reverberates through generations, examining the inherited trauma and the difficult choices faced by those standing witness to a loved one's decline.
Technical Mastery Meets Emotional Truth
The documentary's visual language perfectly complements its emotional weight. Intimate close-ups and shaky, verité-style footage create an almost uncomfortable proximity to the family's struggle. These aren't polished recreations but raw moments of crisis and connection, giving the film an authenticity that studio productions rarely achieve.
A Testament to Resilience
Despite its heavy subject matter, A Want in Her ultimately becomes a powerful testament to human resilience. Carten's journey isn't just about her mother's addiction, but about her own survival and the difficult path toward understanding and, eventually, healing. The film asks difficult questions about responsibility, boundaries, and the limits of love.
This is essential viewing for anyone touched by addiction, whether personally or professionally. Carten has created more than a documentary; she's offered a gift of shared understanding to the countless families navigating similar terrain, reminding us that even in the darkest corners of human experience, connection and compassion remain possible.
