Director Joseph Longo acts alongside his mother in the redemptive short film We’re Not Done Yet. Co-directed by Sofia Camargo, who shares Longo’s vision for inspecting family dynamics, We’re Not Done Yet is a simple yet effective look at the complex relationship between parent and child, specifically the nuance of mothers and sons. The film is 22 minutes long and will premiere at the 2024 Hamptons International Film Festival this week.

The Joy and Pain of Parenting

Alex (Joseph Longo) is visiting his mother Bettina (Barbara Sukowa) at her beach house for a weekend. They are not quite estranged, but in a typical parental fashion, Bettina is far from subtle in that she feels Alex should be visiting her more. The duo falls into a routine of morning yoga and beachfront strolls, a seemingly perfect way to reconnect and spend quality time together. However, their personalities clash when unresolved issues bubble up, forcing tension into an already tender relationship.

Bettina is an empty nester who wants to regain a sense of responsibility. She thinks adopting a child will fill the void in her life, despite her being 70 years old. She is also back on the dating scene and introduces Alex to her new boyfriend, Doug (Danny Mastrogiorgio). Alex is clearly not a fan of his mom’s recent life choices and especially mocks her for wanting to adopt a child at her age. This frustration hits Alex’s pain point: his lack of control, and his growing feeling of exclusion from his mother’s life. From Bettina’s perspective, it’s never too late to live a little. Her son is an adult and out of the house, so why not date and feel wanted again? On the contrary, Alex expects Bettina to prioritize caretaking him first and foremost. He is her son after all!

Growing Up, Letting Go, and Moving On

Both express their needs in not the healthiest of ways, but ultimately, they cut the tension by returning to the ocean and taking a moment of introspection.  It’s here where they realize that they are both human with constantly evolving wants and needs, and their love for each other is unconditional.

A True Family Affair

We’re Not Done Yet offers a humorous and touching look at this common mother-son dynamic. What sets it apart from other films that focus on similar themes is the casting of a real-life mother-son duo. Their chemistry is undeniably sharp and captures both the struggles and joys of growing up and moving on. I’m not privy to director Joseph Longo’s personal family relationships, but it’s fair to guess that working on this film only strengthened his bond with his mother. Another strong aesthetic choice is the color grade which gives the film the look and feel of a 1970s film.

Takeaway

A highly intimate and personal love letter about the art of reconnection, We’re Not Done Yet is a powerful watch. It aims to spark conversation around family dynamics, specifically the fear of letting go and facing adulthood.