The Fundy Film Society

Blood Pressure

Blood Pressure
Nicole (Michelle Giroux), 41, is a pharmacist with a husband and two teenage kids, who is at a point in her life when she is asking “Is this it?” or is there something more.

One day she gets a letter from an anonymous Observer who knows her daily habits, and her potential, intimately. Observer  has a plan for her, if she is interested. The letter contains a green card that she should place in her window, if she wishes to pursue the mysterious relationship. If not, she should throw the letter away, and she will never hear from the Observer again.

After a few days of internal debate, she puts the card in the window and begins a long relationship with the elusive Observer, who puts her on a program that starts by changing her life, but ultimately threatens everything that has meaning for her.

Directed by Sean Garrity (My Awkward Sexual Adventure), Blood Pressure also stars Judah Katz, Jonas Chernick, Jake Epstein and Tatiana Maslany.

“Blood Pressure is a slow, methodically paced thriller that leads not to action, but to intriguing consequences. Garrity delivers a clever thriller that relies on character and a strong sense of place. Nicole’s urge to escape plays out smartly thanks to Giroux as she takes Nicole on a remarkable arc, transforming her from a sullen, impassive defeatist to a woman empowered by life yet trapped in an all-consuming verve of passion and escapism.” (Pat Mullen, Cinemablographer)

”Garrity has faith in his actress and story and builds a fascinating thriller that is both exciting and a quiet exploration of a woman who finds something she didn’t know she was missing: herself. It’s also fantastic to see a story, which isn’t exactly new but which is often reserved for a male character, taken on by a woman. Having a female lead introduces an entire new set of ideas and emotions that would otherwise be lost.” (Marina Antunes, Quiet Earth)

“Most of the film’s best qualities are understated, but that shouldn’t mean that it gets underestimated. Where so many thrillers use their generic trappings as an excuse to trot out familiar clichés, Blood Pressure gives the impression that it’s discovering its true potential right along with its heroine.” (Adam Nayman, The Globe & Mail)