Inspired by his personal life, the writer and director of Pure O, Dillon Tucker, delves into the innermost thoughts and concerns of an individual diagnosed with OCD, a mental health disorder, to expose its complexities and nuances. According to him, the semi-autobiographical account of life “is a story about the power of human connection and how vulnerability is the greatest form of courage.” Opening with the patient fighting with his obsessive thoughts in the car and in the treatment session, we know that a major mental issue will put the audience under the strain of the client’s troubles to elicit empathy.
Cooper Ganz’s apparently ideal life unravels swiftly once he is diagnosed with pure obsession, a debilitating type of OCD. This often misunderstood condition makes him doubt his identity and sanity while he tries to stay strong for his fiancé, family, and coworkers. His world begins to change as he grapples with accepting his condition and weakness. Daniel Dorr, the German American actor whose distinct roles as “Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart” in the sci-fi/adventure film “Bill & Ted Face the Music” and “Obersturmfuhrer Schmidt” in the action film “Furry” are well known, masterfully portrays Cooper’s character in Pure O and what he suffers, what he does responsibly, and what he loses in his redemptive journey. Cooper’s challenges with OCD, his challenges with his fiancé, Emily (Hope Lauren), and his concerns as a drug rehab center counselor are well-coupled to show that OCD does not necessarily appear with the obvious symptoms to discover.
Pure O, the narrative feature that has been premiering at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival, is a film about mental health issues without pushing audiences to observe something scientifically narrated. It is the story of humans. Many of us may suffer from these misadjusted behaviors without even knowing about them, and Tucker delicately creates a tapestry of emotion and thought in which we can find the empathy of the viewers. Pure O starts in the dark while Cooper listens to his own recorded voice and explains the way he intends to kill his fiancé. But it is not a thriller with a dark psychological narrative. The story revolves around human vulnerability and the prevalent mental health issues that many individuals may encounter.
Cooper’s relationship with Rachel (Landry Bender) in drug rehab is also moving, and it is delightful that he is there to help as he is facing his own troubles. It means that humans need to be understood, as Simone Weil, a French writer, philosopher, and theologian, says: “Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” And Dillon Tucker, the writer, director, and editor of Pure O, draws our attention to the ones around us.
The choice to cast both actors and non-actors in diverse roles aids Pure O’s very genuine filming technique. The combination of professional actors and real-life people with OCD or mental health specialists who specialize in OCD provides Pure O with an authenticity that few other films can match. From the very beginning, we are in Cooper’s private life and mid-in his therapeutic journey with Nora (Candice Renee) or when he is sharing his rough emotions with his peers in group therapy. The highs and lows of his relationship with Emily are far from the toxic positivity we see day in and day out in heroic films. They are real, as the issues are. The film portrays the realistic aspects plausibly. Regarding all the troubles happening around us, we never feel overwhelmed by events and emotions. They appear to be humans who can face it all. We have Cooper in therapy, Cooper in relationships, Cooper in rehab, and the integrated Cooper on the journey of elevation.
The subtle cinematography and the music of the film are also strengths of the story. Pure O showcases breathtaking cinematography that truly captivates the audience from start to finish. The film’s visual storytelling is masterfully done, with each frame carefully composed to evoke emotion and create a unique atmosphere. The use of lighting and color palettes effectively sets the tone for the narrative, enhancing the viewer’s immersion in the story. From sweeping landscape shots to intimate close-ups, its cinematography is a work of art that elevates the overall viewing experience.
Dillon Tucker, with his Pure O, brings out the empathetic view that we need to find in the power of storytelling without exaggerating or debilitating the agonies. We believe it, as we know, all are affected in some cases, like the ones in rehab. Some films are meant to lessen the pain, and Pure O is authentically taking us on a healing odyssey.
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