"Tangles": A Poignant Animation Adaptation of Sarah Leavitt's Graphic Novel

Canadian cartoonist Sarah Leavitt's deeply personal narrative, "Tangles", about her mother's struggle with Alzheimer's, has been vividly brought to life in an animated film. Co-created with Leavitt herself and directed by Leah Nelson in her impressive debut, its candid, amusing, and gradually devastating narrative resonates strongly with those who are navigating a similar loss and Bast-hardship.

The excellent casting of voice actors, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, and Abbi Jacobson, along with cameo appearances from Seth Rogen, enhances the appeal of "Tangles". Its premiere in the non-competitive Special Screenings section at Cannes should pique the interest of distributors and streamers looking for high-quality animation.

The narrative is also deeply rooted in Leavitt's LGBTQ+ experiences, adding an extra layer of attracting an LGBTQ+ audience. At the heart of the film is a tale of a powerful lesbian romance providing a respite from the unfolding family tragedy.

Interestingly, the setting has been moved from Vancouver to the U.S., perhaps to underscore the growing emotional and geographical distance in the life of the protagonist. The narrative follows Sarah (Jacobson) navigating between her family home in Maine and her life in San Francisco's thriving queer community. Here, the artist Sarah's intricate sketches reflect her lively worldview and also establish the movie's quirky, clever 2D animation style.

The film's animation style, while not directly imitating Leavitt's original aesthetic, convincingly adopts a spontaneous, hand-drawn rhythm, aligning with Sarah's expressive talents and giving "Tangles" depth beyond its visual presentation.

Set in San Francisco where Sarah feels most at home, she embarks on a relationship with Zen motorcyclist Donimo (Samira Wiley). Even as her life unfolds in San Francisco, Sarah is loved and accepted by her parents (voiced by Louis-Dreyfus and Cranston) and younger sister (Beanie Feldstein) back in Maine. During a visit, Sarah begins to notice her mother's cognitive slips, leading to an eventual diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's.

As the tale unfurls, we see the devastating impact of Alzheimer's on the individual and her surrounding loved ones. Despite its melancholic theme, "Tangles" is not a depressing film. Infused with warm familial details, the film showcases the struggles and determination of a family coping with a devastating disease and the precious, unexpected moments of connection that permeate their journey.