Michael McGowan’s adaptation of Miriam Toews’ beloved novel is propelled by nuanced direction, an affecting script, and a fearless, stellar cast. The story revolves around the women of the Von Riesen clan: writer Yoli (Alison Pill), who’s tormented by self-doubt; her sister Elf (Sarah Gadon), a concert pianist whose bouts with depression threaten to consume her; their steadfast mother, Lottie (Mare Winningham); their no-nonsense aunt Tina (Mimi Kuzyk); and Yoli’s precocious daughter Nora (Amybeth McNulty).

The family are no strangers to sorrow: they left their Mennonite community after the suicide of Von Riesen patriarch Jake (Donal Logue). How the family confront — or fail to confront — trauma is the central focus of the film. The sisters are close, but as Yoli struggles to understand Elf and protect her from her demons, the women’s fundamental differences come to the fore.

Oscillating between extremes of joy and sadness, All My Puny Sorrows is deeply literary. Yoli and Elf connect through their intellectual curiosity and capacity for life — which makes the film all the more heartbreaking, and its ultimate embrace of life so touching.

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