Aloft Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A faith healer mom with boundary issues reconnects with her falconer son who carries childhood baggage, all while a journalist awkwardly films it in a really cold place.

🍿 Aloft: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Troubled Past and Present

‘Aloft’ follows the story of Nana Kunning (Jennifer Connelly) and her son Ivan (Cillian Murphy), exploring a complex relationship torn apart by a past tragedy. The film jumps between two timelines: the past, when young Ivan and his ailing younger brother Gully lived with their struggling single mother Nana, and the present, approximately 20 years later.

The Present Day: A Journalist’s Quest

In the present timeline, Ivan is a peculiar falconer living in rural northern Manitoba, haunted by his double absence – the loss of his brother and estrangement from his mother. A young journalist named Jannia Ressmore (Mélanie Laurent) contacts Ivan for a documentary, initially focusing on his falconry skills. However, her true interest lies in his now-renowned artist and healer mother, Nana, who is reportedly living in the far north.

The Journey North

Jannia’s plan to interview Nana prompts Ivan, despite having a wife and baby, to accompany her on a journey across the frozen landscape to find his mother. Their difficult journey is driven by Ivan’s need to confront the past and understand the events that led to his abandonment, while Jannia pursues her documentary with a potentially hidden motive.

Past Desperation and a Faith Healer

In the past, Nana is desperate to find a cure for her youngest son Gully, who suffers from an inoperable brain tumor. Despite her skepticism, she takes her boys to see a mysterious faith healer known as ‘the Architect,’ who selects patients by lottery. This decision is a pivotal moment leading up to the accident that fractures their family.

The Accident and Separation

A significant accident occurs, involving the young boys and potentially a frozen lake or sinking vehicle. Following this event, Nana, struggling with guilt and circumstances, makes the decision to leave Ivan. This abandonment deeply scars the young boy, shaping him into the guarded adult seen in the present.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nana Kunning (Jennifer Connelly): A struggling mother who becomes a renowned healer and artist after abandoning her son following a past tragedy.
• Ivan (Cillian Murphy): The adult son estranged from his mother, now a falconer carrying the emotional weight of his childhood abandonment.
• Jannia Ressmore (Mélanie Laurent): A persistent journalist whose documentary project initiates a challenging reunion between Ivan and his mother.
• Young Ivan (10) (Zen McGrath): Ivan as a boy, deeply affected by his brother’s illness and the subsequent family separation.
• Gully (Winta McGrath): Ivan’s young, terminally ill brother whose condition is the catalyst for the family’s initial desperate actions.
• Ike (Peter McRobbie): A figure connected to Nana and young Ivan’s past, seemingly present during the events surrounding the faith healer.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Nana Kunning: “Ivan’s strong. He can handle it.” – Said dismissively to Ike, suggesting her elder son is capable of coping with difficult circumstances, highlighting her sometimes detached view of his needs.
• Ike: “You think you know everything. He’s just a boy.” – Ike responds to Nana, challenging her perspective and emphasizing Ivan’s youth and vulnerability during a crucial moment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $53,086
• Worldwide Gross: $270,971

💥 Aloft Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, wow. This movie is definitely not a light watch. It’s moody and feels… heavy, almost from the start. I gotta say, Jennifer Connelly and Cillian Murphy are just incredible in it. Their performances feel so raw and real, even when the story itself is kinda confusing. You feel the weight of their past, even when you’re not exactly sure *what* happened yet. The timeline jumps were a bit jarring at first, and I felt like I was piecing things together the whole time. That scene with the truck on the ice? Intense and heartbreaking. It really stuck with me. Overall, it’s not a movie with easy answers or a clean ending, but it definitely made me think and feel things. It’s the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits roll, even if you’re still scratching your head a little.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jennifer Connelly and Cillian Murphy”
  • “Viewers who appreciate slow-burn psychological dramas”
  • “Audiences open to non-linear storytelling”
  • “Those interested in films about complex family relationships and trauma”
  • “People who enjoy atmospheric and visually striking cinema (specifically cold, bleak landscapes)”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Rated R for language”
  • “Some sexuality”
  • “Themes of terminal illness and child death”
  • “Family abandonment and trauma”

Professional Reviews

• Film Quarterly (Fictional): “Aloft boasts stunning performances from Jennifer Connelly and Cillian Murphy, set against a stark, beautiful Canadian landscape. However, the narrative is frustratingly fragmented, jumping between timelines in a way that obscures rather than illuminates the characters’ motivations. It’s a film felt more than understood, leaving some viewers cold despite the powerful acting.
• Indie Scene Magazine (Fictional): “Claudia Llosa’s latest is visually arresting and features captivating work from its leads, particularly the haunting portrayal by Cillian Murphy. Yet, the elliptical storytelling and deliberate ambiguity make for a challenging watch. Its themes of trauma and connection resonate, but the execution feels overly aloof, hindering emotional engagement for many.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers were mesmerized by the powerful acting from the lead cast.: The performances, especially Cillian Murphy and Jennifer Connelly’s, were frequently cited as the film’s strongest asset.

The bleak, frozen landscapes were appreciated for setting a unique and atmospheric tone.: The cinematography and the depiction of the cold Canadian environment were praised for their visual impact.

The non-linear plot structure often left viewers confused about the story’s flow and character motivations.: A frequent complaint was the confusing narrative structure and feeling that key plot points or character developments were missing or unclear.

Overall Consensus: A visually striking, well-acted drama praised for its powerful performances and atmospheric setting, but often criticized for its confusing, fragmented narrative and slow pace.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although Jennifer Connelly plays Cillian Murphy’s mother, their actual age difference is only 6 years.”
• “The film was primarily shot in Manitoba, Canada, specifically during March/April 2013, contributing to the bleak, frozen landscape depicted.”
• “The U.S. theatrical release and subsequent home video versions were reportedly cut by 15-20 minutes compared to the festival cut, leading to confusion and perceived plot holes among viewers.”
• “This was Peruvian director Claudia Llosa’s first English-language feature film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Aloft?

Released in 2015, ‘Aloft’ had a limited US theatrical run. Based on user reviews, different versions of the film exist, including a shorter US cut. It was later available on DVD and Blu-ray and may have been found at rental outlets like RedBox upon home video release. Availability on specific streaming platforms is not detailed in the provided information, so check major services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, or rental/purchase platforms for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Aloft, you might like these similar films:

• Manchester by the Sea (2016): A bleak, character-driven drama set in a cold environment, exploring themes of grief, trauma, and estranged family relationships after a tragedy.
• Winter’s Bone (2010): Features a protagonist navigating a harsh, impoverished rural environment while dealing with complicated family dynamics and a quest for resolution.
• Room (2015): Released around the same time, it’s a powerful drama focused intensely on a mother-son relationship enduring trauma and its aftermath, showcasing strong performances.
• The Lost Daughter (2021): Explores the complex, often challenging realities of motherhood, abandonment, and the lingering impact of past choices on present relationships, featuring a strong female lead.
• Mysterious Skin (2004): A character study delving into childhood trauma and its long-term psychological effects, featuring a non-linear narrative and a focus on the internal lives of its characters.

🛒 Aloft Related Products

• Aloft Blu-ray/DVD: Own the psychological drama ‘Aloft’ on physical media. Features stunning visuals and powerful performances.
• The Milk of Sorrow (Claudia Llosa Film): Experience another critically acclaimed film by ‘Aloft’ director Claudia Llosa. Explores themes of trauma and legacy through magical realism.
• Falconry: Care, Capturing, and Training: A comprehensive guide to the practice of falconry, delving into the history, techniques, and dedication required.
• Bleak Landscapes Photography Book: A collection of evocative photography capturing the stark beauty and isolation of cold, northern environments, similar to the film’s setting.

🎧 Soundtrack

Aloft features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Aloft Theme” – performed by Michael Brook
• “Northern Lights” – performed by Michael Brook
• “Gully’s Theme” – performed by Michael Brook
• “Ivan and the Falcon” – performed by Michael Brook

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Phantom – Origin Of Forgotten Pulp Superhero – Explored – History Of Ghost Who Walks!

Ever wonder where The Phantom came from before the movie? This video dives into the character’s fascinating pulp roots and why he’s called the ‘Ghost Who Walks’ – it’s pretty cool background info!

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