The Sensitives

In Drew Xanthopoulos intimate and cinematic documentary we meet Joe a patriarch whose affliction is so allencompassing that hes indifferent to his longsuffering wife and twin brothers Sam and Nathan musicians who are no longer able to breathe outside of their reallife sterile plastic bubble and whose mother Karen developed her illness when she was only 17 These characters all suffer from debilitating sensitivities to their environment Whether from ambient chemicals genetics electricity or even psychogenic reasons the cause is not clear but the reality of the effects on these individuals is undeniable Fortunately Susie Molloy a quiet firebrand who is chemically sensitive herself seeks to help In her those afflicted by this modern malady have found an advocate whose mission is to destigmatize this community and in telling their stories Xanthopoulos has crafted a film itself as deeply sensitive as its title suggests Cara Cusumano