What I liked
What I didn't like
My overall impression
This is a bravura performance by Todd Pickering, an outstanding storyteller, covering a calendar year of his life which he spent with his parents in their Nebraska home after learning his mother had mid-phase Alzheimer’s. Pickering’s style is filthy rich with visceral and immediate detail, with only glancing acknowledgement of the emotions at hand as he leaves that for his audience who are in shock as the days whiz by month after month – with so many chores and responsibilities – which Pickering, as the loving son, has to attend: clearing the garage, selling the house, selling his father’s auto salvage yard, rearranging and re-organizing their lives… all described with lighthearted humor and vivid characterizations amongst the unavoidable conflicts, reflecting the unshakable love he has for his family. One senses that, in that year, Pickering could afford little time to react to the crushing emotions of watching his mother’s mind deteriorate because there was too much to do, perhaps so much to deny, perhaps so much to fear. And so in the moments when he does breathe and gently describes a scenario of seeing her forgetfulness, it’s crushing. Then he zooms to the next task with an admirable cheerfulness under the inevitable weight of the shifting generations as child turns to caretaker. Pickering’s story is not one of “survival,” but recognition of the passing of time, of darkness that may come, and an enlightening example of how one might cope. Minimal set. Brilliant use of the calendar sheets as insta-props. Highly recommend.
