As an adult with significant disabilities, I can definitely say I identified with Clara (Emily Schooley), the heart-and-soul of writer/director Schooley's 14-minute dramatic short film The Sweetest Goodbye. We meet her at the tail end of a goodbye party where it seems as if her true motivation has gone largely unnoticed by everyone except for her best friend, Skye (Salma Dharsee). Skye has caught on that this is Clara's prelude to a decision with a personal impact. 

Giving it her best, Skye confronts Clara about her choice. 

Clara's life is, indeed, a challenging one. She lives in a world that doesn't quite know how to deal with her. Unable to create the life she wants or needs, Clara's sense of abandonment is strong and radiates throughout Schooley's honest, natural performance. The Sweetest Goodbye has already spent several months on the indie fest circuit, its dramatic and timely message resonating with audiences and resulting in multiple awards. The chemistry between Schooley and Dharsee is believable and one can't help but be drawn into the story even if one can relate. 

I can, at least on some level, relate. Clara's turmoil feels vivid and real and so does Skye's reaction to it. A Canadian production, the film tackles the issue of medical assistance in dying, an undeniably controversy in society and in the disability community. It's the lack of understanding, it would seem, that drew Schooley to the story. I remember when I started out on Disability in my late teens and early 20s - I initially lived on the paltry amount of $400 a month. I made it. I learned how. However, to this day when I share that story people are befuddled as to how I survived and friends during that time are equally perplexed at how much they missed my struggles. It might be abandonment or invisibility or any number of things, even an intentional choice to look away, but The Sweetest Goodbye effectively tackles the desperation that can unfold when hope, quite simply, doesn't seem to exist. 

In addition to Schooley's impactful performance, Salma Dharsee shines as the conflicted BFF. 

Lensing by Christine Buijs is quietly observational and intimate without being overly invasive. Justine Cargo's production design immerses us in Clara's rather matter-of-fact world. 

Having been a fan of Laughing Cat Productions before, I'm impressed by the continued devotion to socially impactful filmmaking and overall growth in terms of ensemble work and production values. Another winner for sure, The Sweetest Goodbye should no doubt continue to experience success on the indie fest circuit.

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic