Tangles Movie Review: A Heartfelt Look at Memory and Loss

I sat down to watch Tangles, and I wasn't ready for how it felt. It's a film about memory, but it's really about the people who hold onto those memories when others can't. It hits hard.

Most movies about sickness feel cold or too clinical. This one isn't like that at all. It feels like a real, raw look at a family trying to stay together.

You'll see yourself in these characters. Whether you've dealt with loss or not, the pain here is so honest. It's a tough watch, but you need to see it.

Where the story finds its roots

The film pulls from the graphic memoir by Sarah Leavitt. She wrote the book to help her process her mother's illness. It's a very personal story about a daughter watching her mom fade away. It's not just about the sad stuff, though. It's about the funny, weird, and messy parts of life that keep going even when everything else changes.

Leah Nelson took that book and turned it into a movie. It's her first time directing a feature, and she nails it. She keeps the look of the original drawings, which makes it feel like the pages are moving on their own. It's a smart choice. It gives the film a style that stands out from the usual 3D stuff you see at the theater.

The story focuses on the bond between a mother and her daughter. They navigate the shift in their roles as the disease takes hold. It's a slow, quiet, and painful process. But they find ways to laugh and connect. That's what makes it work so well. It doesn't just focus on the end; it focuses on the life that happens in between.

The heart of the movie

The cast brings a lot to the table here. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is incredible as the mother. She captures the confusion and the glimpses of the person she used to be. You can hear the frustration in her voice. It's a performance that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Abbi Jacobson plays the daughter. She's the anchor of the story. You feel her desperation to keep things normal. She's trying to hold onto a version of her mom that is slowly slipping away. Her voice work is grounded and never feels like acting. It feels like she's living through it.

Then you have Bryan Cranston. He adds a layer of warmth to the whole thing. He's the dad who is also trying to cope with this new reality. The chemistry between the three of them is what holds the movie together. They feel like a real family facing a real nightmare.

The animation style is key here. It uses a sketchy, hand-drawn look that feels intimate. It doesn't try to be perfect. It tries to be real. The way the colors change when the mom gets more confused is a nice touch. It shows you how she sees the world.

There are moments that feel like a dream. Some scenes are bright and funny, while others are dark and quiet. It mimics how the mind works. It's a smart way to tell a story about a disease that attacks the mind. You're not just watching it; you're feeling the confusion alongside her.

It's a tough story, but it's told with a lot of love. It's not a film that wants to make you cry just for the sake of it. It's a film that wants you to understand. That makes all the difference in the world.

The craft behind the scenes

The technical side of Tangles is impressive. Nelson and her team worked hard to keep the feel of Sarah Leavitt's original art. They didn't want to smooth out the edges. The lines are shaky. The backgrounds feel like they were drawn with a pen. It's a relief to see animation that isn't obsessed with being shiny.

Sound design is also a huge part of the experience. The music is sparse. It doesn't tell you how to feel. It lets the silence speak for itself. Sometimes, the sounds of a house—a clock ticking or a floor creaking, are louder than any song. It's a very clever way to build tension.

The pacing is deliberate. It doesn't rush to the sad parts. It takes its time with the small moments. You spend a lot of time just watching them eat dinner or sit in the yard. These little scenes are where the character growth happens. It's where you fall in love with them.

Why this movie matters now

This film is going to hit home for a lot of people. Alzheimer's is a thief. It takes away the people we love, but we still have to figure out how to live with the loss. Tangles shows that process without sugarcoating it. It's a hard look at a hard topic.

I think we'll see more films like this. People want stories that are real. They don't want the fake, polished versions of life anymore. They want to see the mess. They want to see the struggle. Tangles delivers that in a way that feels fresh and necessary.

It's a win for adult animation. It proves that the medium isn't just for kids. You can tell heavy, mature stories with drawings. I hope this opens the door for more projects like this. We need more stories that aren't afraid to be sad.

Quick questions answered

Is Tangles a sad movie? Yes, it is very sad. It deals with a heavy topic, so be prepared.

Is this movie for kids? No. It's an adult animated film. It's not meant for young children.

Does it follow the book exactly? It stays very true to the spirit of the graphic memoir. The author co-wrote the script.

Who is in the cast? Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Abbi Jacobson, and Bryan Cranston provide the lead voices.

Why should I see it? It's a beautiful, honest look at a family dealing with a common but difficult life event.