Free Radicals

Barbara Albert's film is a chilling dissection of life's indifferent cruelty and the difficulties of overcoming personal tragedy. When Manu, a small-town Austrian grocery store checkout cashier who once survived an airplane crash off Brazil, is killed in a collision with an automobile packed with teenagers, the fatal accident shatters everyone connected to the victims. Manu's young daughter stoically accepts her mother's death, whereas Manu's sister is unable to come to terms with the loss. Manu's brother Lukas finds his loneliness eased by an unlikely friendship built with Sandra, a black cosmetic store clerk (who by virtue of her race is as much an outsider in this Austrian suburb as Lukas is an outsider to the world as a whole). Manu's best friend Andrea, who stayed at the dance club while Manu took her last ride, reexamines her feelings for Manu's husband. Among the teen set, an outsider named Patricia, who had previously been ostracized for her appearance and antisocial behavior, finds herself the object of attraction by Kai, the handsome ringleader of the callous young crowd, whose girlfriend was paralyzed by the accident, leaving Kai to somewhat shamelessly move on to another conquest. Albert's clinical visual approach to the subject matter may not sit well with those who prefer movies where hearts are worn prominently on sleeves, but for the patient viewer Free Radicals should prove to be a powerful work of maturity and honesty. Highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a 17-minute interview with director Barbara Albert, a three-minute "making-of" montage, a stills gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a small but solid extras package for a powerful indie drama.] (P. Hall)