Time Passages
Directed by Kyle Henry
Unrated
Runtime: 1 hour and 26 minutes
In Select Theaters Nationwide Beginning January 31

by Chelsea Alexandra, Staff Writer

Mourning is a deeply personal experience. Although it may be a universal experience we will all go through at one point or another, no experience is the same. Losing a parent is another one of life’s inevitable experiences that everyone processes differently. Our relationships with our parents will vary and once they are gone, will leave us with these complex emotions that we try to decipher. Piecing together the puzzle and reconciling with hard truths about our parents when they are gone can be cathartic and also a hard pill to swallow. In Time Passages, filmmaker Kyle Henry attempts to preserve the fragments of his mother Elaine’s life while also processing her final days in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The film follows Henry as he grapples with his mother Elaine's declining health due to late-stage dementia. Time Passages is a scrapbook that tells the story of Henry’s family and, more specifically, the story of his mother’s life. Henry doesn’t shy away from the hardships that came with his mother’s life including moments of self-sacrifice. Henry creates a timeline of Elaine’s life through her early years of motherhood and trouble in his parents' relationship. Through intimate interviews, poignant FaceTime calls, and a captivating miniature dollhouse replica of his childhood home, Henry vividly depicts the evolution of his relationship with his mother and family dynamic over time. Time Passages offers a moving and often heart-wrenching exploration of family, memory, and Henry's journey to mend his deep-seated wounds.

The use of family archives provides a rich and textured history that allows viewers to witness the evolution of Henry and his mother’s relationship over time. Through intimate interviews, poignant FaceTime calls, and a captivating miniature dollhouse replica of his childhood home, Henry vividly depicts the evolution of his relationship with his mother over time. It is clear that Henry has compassion for the obstacles that Elaine faced in her life, however he does highlight some of the conflicts that they had throughout his life. One conflict noted was him coming out and his mother’s dated ideas about the queer community.

The film offers a moving and often heartbreaking portrait of family and how complicated our relationships with our parents can be. Regardless of the love we may have for our parents, they aren’t perfect and sometimes are a product of their own hardships and experiences. Time Passages is a beautiful love letter to Elaine and a celebration of life. However, for Henry, allowing himself to reflect on their hard times offers a cathartic healing for the moments shared between him and Elaine that were less than perfect.

Henry’s film not only explores the deeply personal journey of a son grappling with his mother's dementia but also shines a much-needed spotlight on the challenges faced by families navigating this complex and often heartbreaking reality. Dementia is a widespread issue, yet it frequently remains misunderstood by most. By bringing the realities of caring for a loved one with dementia to the forefront, Time Passages raise awareness of some of the realities of caring for someone with dementia. For those who have personal experience with dementia, the film can offer a sense of validation and shared knowledge, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles.

Most will resonate with Henry’s story as he tries to continue to care for his mother’s declining health in the middle of a raging pandemic. Against the backdrop of isolation and uncertainty, the film captures the added weight of supporting a loved one with late-stage dementia during a global health crisis. Henry navigates these moments with sensitivity, balancing the sorrow with uplifting and hopeful moments. Facetime calls between Henry and his mother are featured in Time Passages hit an emotional chord. The sweet moments of Henry singing to his mother are enough to make eyes swell. 

Time Passages is a deeply emotional film that weaves together themes of family, memory, and personal healing. Henry’s direction is subtle yet impactful. It is a documentary that captures intimate moments with authenticity and delicate care. The film’sstrength lies in its intimate portrayal of the complex relationship between mother and her son. Henry doesn't shy away from the difficult realities of dementia, capturing both the heartbreaking losses and the lingering joys of their connection. Time Passages is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that will resonate with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of family relationships and the inevitability of time.

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