Much of Raabia Ansari's Illness requires a basic understanding of Islam: its values and prohibitions. Those unaware of the significance behind the holy month of Ramadan and the concept of "nafs" may find themselves a bit confused. However, Illness keeps it simple where it counts, exploring faith's effect in one's day-to-day life in a manner relatable to most religious people.
Illness centers on a young man's (Adil Dadabhoy) hospital visit; he's lethargic, often with his head down, professing desperately to a nurse (Amy Mayo), "I can't control myself." Through a series of flashbacks, he reflects on prior events and how they've factored into his declining health.
Ansari directs subtly, giving scenes just enough information for an audience to comprehend the situation. With little dialogue, she relies on her actors and cinematography to get the job done. Dadabhoy wears melancholy convincingly (though a tendency to rub his eyes grows distracting after a while), and Mifrah Maqbool is understated, yet memorable as the doctor. Ansari's camerawork adequately tells the story, but blurs in and out of focus enough times to make me consider its artistic merit less than if the camera's working.
Regardless, Illness works. In the same manner as films like The Jazz Singer (though with considerably less blackface), Illness brings to light the difficulties faced by not only Muslim Americans, but members of all faiths, in balancing tradition and spiritual values with everyday culture. Never biting off more than she can chew, Ansari's firm direction drives the project forward, showing her clear understanding of how to bring a vision to the screen. Illness's success doesn't lie in its victory at this year's MSA Showdown in College Station, but rather in Ansari and her team's creation of a smart, focused socially-conscious drama.
Thank you all for reading; I'm the Man Without a Plan, signing off.
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