Worth: $14.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Craig Ruddy, Roberto Meza Mont
Intro:
... the love, pride and raw emotion that Mont and Reynolds pour onto the screen makes it resonate.
Back in 2015, Welsh writer Russell T Davies unleashed one of the most devastating episodes of his gay drama, Cucumber. Focusing solely on one character, the show announced their death in the opening seconds before showing the audience key moments of his life before his tragic demise. In the last moments of his life, and the episode, these moments – good and bad – crash into each other as it becomes clear that we are experiencing a man watching his life flash before his eyes. It’s a heartbreaking moment in television and its Brechtian approach comes to mind when watching A Portrait of Love.
Directed by Molly Reynolds (My Name is Gulpilil), the documentary/stream-of-consciousness follows the final years of Archibald prize winner, Craig Ruddy. What makes the film uniquely personal is that all of the footage used by Reynolds has been recorded by Ruddy’s partner, Roberto Meza Mont. Starting with a monologue by Mont, detailing his first meeting with Ruddy, the film offers a glimpse into the life that these men share together. Knowing that Ruddy passed in 2022, A Portrait of Love feels like it could be Ruddy reliving moments of happiness with Mont.
Most times, when Mont isn’t staring directly into the camera beaming with pride or dancing around Ruddy while he draws, the audience becomes a silent observer to the artist at work. Heavy techno in the background, Ruddy throws charcoal at the canvas in a way that looks too easy but is clear evidence of a man in control. When he sighs with frustration, we’re never let into what’s gone wrong. The work still looks amazing, but to the artist, there’s a blemish that’s tripped him up so close to end.
Sometimes, A Portrait of Love frustrates; perhaps it’s all too personal, and we’re being held at arm’s distance. Of all the footage used, none of it really takes the time to let its subject speak. Instead, we jump from one party to another, a soak in the sun or talk of renovations being made to their home. If you’re looking for more understanding of the artist, you’re likely to be disappointed with its short bursts of unrelated scenes. That said, there’s a lot of heart in Reynolds’ work and it’s clearly a cathartic experience for Mont himself, particularly as we reach the end of Ruddy’s life.
Passing away due to complications from COVID, there is no big crescendo, no overwrought montage of Ruddy’s declining health. Instead, it takes us by surprise. One minute, he’s there. The next, he’s not. Those who have lost someone close to them will understand this compacted timeline as the days of summer seem to stretch out forever, before winter hits you with a slap of reality.
A Portrait of Love may not be strong narratively, but the love, pride and raw emotion that Mont and Reynolds pour onto the screen makes it resonate.
