Toward Daylight

Although Barbara Bird's short documentary begins as a compassionate look at the devastating effects of depression on an individual, Toward Daylight is really about the survivors of those who take their own lives. Underscoring the old maxim that no man (or woman) is an island, the film offers gritty proof that suicide brings years of collateral damage to the lives of family and friends. Presenting several cases, Bird interviews people who describe how persons they cared about went downhill as a result of depression, untreated bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and other conditions. Anger is also acknowledged in devastating statements made here by children of suicidal parents, such as “she didn't love me enough” or “when it came down to it, her feelings were above all others.” When another survivor says of a late loved one, “he didn't think about what the impact would be,” the comment seems to speak for many who were damaged by similar losses. Although the film describes and defines symptoms that may signal a predisposition toward suicide, the documentary is not a preventive guide, but rather serves up visceral testimony reminding us that suicide has more than one victim. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)