Myrid Carten Unveils Family Struggles in “A Want in Her”

A new documentary film, A Want in Her, directed by Myrid Carten, offers an intimate exploration of family dynamics shaped by addiction and mental illness. The film, which opens in UK and Irish cinemas on October 10, 2023, provides a poignant portrayal of Myrid’s relationship with her mother, Nuala Carten, who battles both bipolar disorder and alcoholism.

The documentary begins with Myrid revealing her mother’s struggles as she recounts spotting Nuala on a Belfast street, disheveled yet identifiable by her distinctive high-heeled shoes. This stark contrast to the earlier footage of Nuala, once a polished social worker known for her advocacy work on domestic abuse, sets the tone for the film’s emotional depth. The juxtaposition highlights the profound impact of addiction on family members, particularly as Nuala frequently disappears during drinking binges.

Myrid, who often operates the camera herself, captures her mother in various states, revealing the complexity of Nuala’s character. When sober, Nuala can be articulate and insightful, yet her addiction to red wine complicates their relationship. This struggle is echoed in Myrid’s family, where another brother deals with similar issues, and a different brother faces an unspecified mental health challenge, resulting in volatile outbursts.

In an innovative narrative approach, Myrid showcases archival footage from her childhood. The clips feature classmates reenacting scenes of drunken arguments, mirroring the turmoil within her own family. The film also includes poignant moments where teenage Myrid, alongside another girl, performs dramas inspired by her mother’s behavior, illustrating how deeply these experiences have influenced her.

An extraordinary segment captures Nuala lying in the road at night, dressed in a rabbit-fur jacket, presenting a striking visual metaphor for her struggles. Myrid further employs creative techniques, such as lip-syncing to audio recordings of her mother, reminiscent of Clio Barnard’s work in The Arbor. This stylistic choice emphasizes generational cycles of trauma and the burden of guilt.

While A Want in Her offers a raw and heartfelt examination of familial relationships, some critics suggest that the film could benefit from a clearer narrative progression. Despite this, it manages to provide a sense of closure, culminating in a powerful montage paired with an evocative folk performance that resonates with viewers.

As audiences prepare for its release, Myrid Carten’s documentary stands as a significant contribution to discussions surrounding addiction and mental health, encouraging viewers to reflect on the complexities of familial love and the scars left by unresolved issues.