The Secret Art of Human Flight is a must-watch for fans of weird and wonderful storytelling. It’s a celebration of life and humanity in the most original way.
Director: H.P. Mendoza
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Run Time: 107′
US Release: August 23, 2024
UK Release: TBA
Where to watch: on demand
Within the confines of a 4:3 aspect ratio, the first shot in The Secret Art of Human Flight slowly encroaches upon Ben (Grant Rosenmeyer, of The Royal Tenenbaums) as he grieves the loss of his wife. As husband and wife, he and Sarah (Reina Hardesty, of CW’s The Flash) co-wrote children’s books together and documented their lives on home videos before she passed.
The weeks following the unprecedented event depict a shocked, depressed, and hopeless Ben unsure of how to navigate life and the world alone. Then the titular self-help book arrives, along with Mealworm (Oscar nominee Paul Raci, of Sound of Metal), an eccentric guru. Ben latches onto the sudden changes Mealworm demands and clings to the hope of human flight in the face of his grief.
The Secret Art of Human Flight is a wonderfully shot film, thanks to cinematographer Markus Mentzer. Every shot is layered, unique, and creative. It enlivens Ben’s experience: moments of conflict feature close and claustrophobic shots while climactic moments feature open space and colorful beauty. Mentzer visualizes the film’s blend of elements like hope, despair, comedy, drama, and fantasy to craft a highly original and unavoidably resonant experience. Raci is weird and whimsical as Mealworm, but Rosenmeyer is most captivating as a frail and vulnerable widower. The film’s screenplay is masterful; it remains unpredictable and bizarre but totally committed to the study of human grief.
Despite fantastical elements in Ben’s odd journey, the most powerful moments in The Secret Art of Human Flight involve an honest and deep look into his process of grief. Ben attempts to mourn in a unique way as he follows the steps in the self-help book (at the direction of Mealworm). It’s a pertinent message in the film: grief is a non-linear and unpredictable process. While the film is genuinely hilarious, it also thoughtfully explores the care people feel from others following the death of a loved one. Ben’s friends share their concerns as they try their best to support his mental health and genuinely support him. In such an outlandish movie, these factors make it all the more gripping and remarkably human.
Indeed, it’s not the notion of physical flightthat is so powerful in this film; it’s humanness. Invigorating and miraculous moments occur in the film, but the “human flight” it truly delves into requires no wings, no training, and no magic powers: it’s about how to flourish in the face of tragedy—how to let one’s soul take flight.
The Secret Art of Human Flight features a lovely score, composed by director H.P. Mendoza. It’s majestic and playful at times, and at others intense and dark. Throughout the film’s 107 minutes, every piece falls together to create a perfect complement to the film’s tone. Overall, The Secret Art of Human Flight feels like a creatively unrestricted A24 film. It’s artistic, bold, and dramatic in ways similar to A Ghost Story and After Yang. Its impeccable cinematography, creative production design, and magnetic wit make The Secret Art of Human Flight a must-watch for fans of weird and wonderful storytelling. It’s a bold celebration of life and humanity in the most original way.
The Secret Art of Human Flight will be available available to watch on demand from August 23, 2024.
