Watch How Heavy This Hammer

How Heavy This Hammer is a Canadian comedy-drama film released in 2015. The movie, directed by Kazik Radwanski, examines the life of a middle-aged man named Erwin (Erwin Van Cotthem) who is going through a mid-life crisis. Erwin is a family man, but despite having a wife and two children, he feels disconnected and unfulfilled. He spends most of his time playing a computer game, where he is the leader of a Viking-like clan.
Erwin's obsession with the game often leads him to neglect his family and responsibilities, causing his wife to become increasingly frustrated with him.

Erwin's dissatisfaction with his life is further compounded by his mundane job at a sports facility that he finds uninspiring. In an effort to escape his reality, he becomes increasingly addicted to his digital world, neglecting his personal relationships, including his wife and children.

As the movie progresses, we see Erwin trying to balance his virtual life with his responsibilities in the real world. He becomes increasingly drawn to the game as his life spirals out of control, culminating in a final scene that is both poignant and heartbreaking.

Throughout the movie, Radwanski's direction is understated, relying more on subtlety than melodrama to convey the film's message.

The cinematography is also noteworthy, providing a sense of intimacy and claustrophobia that captures Erwin's emotional state perfectly. The use of extreme close-ups and a shallow depth-of-field creates a dreamlike effect, further blurring the line between fantasy and reality.

Erwin Van Cotthem's portrayal of Erwin is one of the standout performances of the movie. His portrayal of a man on the cusp of a mental breakdown is both raw and authentic. Kate Ashley, who plays Erwin's wife, also delivers a strong performance, providing a stark contrast to Erwin's disconnection from the people around him.

Seth Kirsh's score enhances the film's emotional impact, providing tension throughout the film while drawing the audience deeper into Erwin's turmoil.

Overall, How Heavy This Hammer is an engaging and thought-provoking film that explores themes of isolation, addiction, and the human need for connection. It is a movie that resonates with anyone who has ever felt lost, disconnected or dissatisfied with their life.

How Heavy This Hammer is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 47.