Hard Truths 2024

Pansy Deacon is a troubled and anxious woman whose life is dominated by her meek plumber husband, Curtley and their lazy adult son, Moses, whom she continually criticizes for lacking ambition. Her short temper leads her to confront and argue with everyone around her, from family members to strangers. Deeply affected by anxiety, she finds it tremendously challenging to step outside her home, harboring a strong dislike for animals and flowers alike.

As Mother’s Day approaches, her sister, Chantelle, a single mother working as a hairdresser, urges Pansy to visit their mother Pearl’s grave to mark the fifth anniversary of her passing. Despite Chantelle’s insistence, Pansy is hesitant and resists the idea, overwhelmed by her own fears and insecurities.

In the days leading up to this memorial occasion, Pansy’s emotional turmoil causes her to clash with various individuals. Ultimately, she accompanies Chantelle to their mother’s grave, where emotions run high. Pansy expresses her bitterness, feeling that Pearl favored Chantelle after their father left, a claim that Chantelle firmly refutes. In a heartfelt moment, Pansy confesses her deep fear that her family harbors contempt for her. In response, Chantelle reassures her sister of her love, despite the challenges Pansy faces.

Shifting to the Mother’s Day celebration at Chantelle’s apartment, Pansy struggles to connect with her family, remaining distant and withdrawn. In a moment of vulnerability, she reveals to Chantelle that her marriage to Curtley was born out of desperation, and she finds herself stuck in a relationship that contributes to her loneliness. However, a surprising gesture from Moses—a bouquet of flowers for Mother’s Day—shatters her initial beliefs about his indifference. The unexpected gesture causes Pansy to erupt into tears of joy, expressing gratitude to her son in an emotional breakdown.

As the Deacon family returns home, Pansy faces her anxieties head-on. She carefully arranges the flowers in a vase and leaves the patio door ajar, hopeful. However, unbeknownst to her, Curtley discards the flowers outside and shuts the door, reflecting his own unacknowledged pain. The following day brings more distress as Curtley injures his back at work, prompting him to send a coworker to check on Pansy. This interaction only heightens her anxiety to the point of immobilization, preventing her from going downstairs.

Amidst this turmoil, a young woman approaches Moses during his walk, and for the first time, he shows a hint of happiness. Meanwhile, Pansy remains confined within the house, unaware of the silent sorrow of her husband as he weeps below her. Thus, the cycle of anxiety, familial strain, and the search for connection continues, painting a poignant picture of everyday struggles within the Deacon household.