A good friend of mine, Amy Hardie, happens to be an amazing doucmentary film maker and is kind enough to join us at Morison DuncanVillage Hall in Gauldry on the 13th of February 2026 at 7 pm to screen and discuss her newest production: “Love & Trouble”
🎬 What It Is
Love & Trouble is a feature documentary film directed and written by Amy Hardie. It was completed in 2024 and has a 90-minute runtime.
🧠 Synopsis & Themes
The film is an intimate, observational documentary that follows a young couple, Kenny and Kerry Watson, over roughly a decade as they navigate the deep effects of personal trauma on their family and marriage.
- Marriage & Hidden Pasts: Kenny and Kerry marry with strong ideals but carry unresolved traumas that begin to seriously shake their relationship.
- PTSD & Family Strain: After their baby is born, Kenny’s PTSD — stemming from his time as a sniper in Afghanistan — is triggered by his son’s crying, which he refers to as “the screams.” His mental health crisis threatens their marriage and everyday life.
- Kerry’s Journey: In response, Kerry returns to education to study psychology so she can better understand and help both her husband and herself. This personal inquiry also leads her to confront her own childhood trauma.
- Recovery & Resilience: The film depicts their path through challenges like therapy, psychiatric support, emotional breakthroughs and setbacks, and wellness activities (from horses and race-cars to ice swimming), evolving into a story of resilience, empathy, and transformation.
🎥 Style & Approach
- The documentary is shot in a fly-on-the-wall observational style, giving an unfiltered view of the couple’s life without overt narration or sensationalism.
- It places emphasis on honesty and emotional courage, offering viewers a deeply personal look at mental health, relationships, shame, anger, love and recovery.
📍 Screenings & Distribution
- World Premiere: Dokumentale ’24 in Berlin (October 2024).
- The film was acquired for worldwide sales by Journeyman Pictures ahead of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) 2024.
- UK Cinema Release: It played in cinemas from 19 June 2025 onwards.
🎼 Music and Production
- Music by Jeff Baxter, with original songs by Scottish singer Roseanne Reid.
- Produced by Sonja Henrici Creates, Amy Hardie Productions, and Fruitmarket GmbH with support from Screen Scotland, BFI Doc Society Fund, and collaborators from SWR/ARTE.
🧠 Critical Reception
- Reviewers praise the film’s raw and compassionate handling of PTSD and trauma and its insightful look at the emotional dynamics within a marriage under strain. The storytelling has been described as both intimate and rigorous, and the Watsons as relatable, deeply human subjects.
⚠️ Content Advisory
According to classification notes, the film includes strong language, references to child sexual abuse, suicide and self-harm, and scenes discussing traumatic experiences. Viewers sensitive to these subjects should be aware.
Amy Hardie also produced a very personal and insightful documentary: The Edge of Dreaming” (I still have a DVD and happily lend it to you)
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The Edge of Dreaming
— Overview
Director: Amy Hardie
Year: 2009 (festival/official release), wide broadcast/streaming around 2010–2011
Genre: Documentary, Personal Exploration, Dreams & Consciousness
Runtime: ~73 minutes
This documentary follows Amy Hardie herself — a rational, science-oriented filmmaker — as she experiences a series of vivid dreams that seem eerily connected to real life and personal loss. After dreaming about her horse dying (which then happens) and later dreaming of her own mortality, she embarks on a deeply introspective journey. The film mixes personal narrative, scientific inquiry into dreams, reflections on fear and mortality, and a search for meaning at the edge between waking life and the dream world.
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Critical Reviews & Responses
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Positive & Thoughtful Reviews
1. New York Times (via Rotten Tomatoes)
Critic Stephen Holden praised the film as not the confession of a believer but of an intelligent woman with an open mind and heart exploring a metaphysical personal quest — giving it around 4/5 stars.
2. Spirituality & Practice
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat called it “bold, creative, engrossing, and spiritual.” They highlighted its powerful depiction of confronting fear, mortality, and the mystery of dreams — and its emotional and spiritual richness rather than a dry psychological case study.
3. Dennis Schwartz (Film Critic)
Schwartz described it as a “wonderful little film” that doesn’t overreach but uses clarity and intimacy to explore dreams, reality, and human curiosity. He appreciated its warmth, integration of scientific interviews (e.g., with neuroscientists), and heartfelt storytelling. Grade: B+.
4. Eye for Film (Amber Wilkinson)
Described the documentary as having a structure that mimics a dream — poetic, reflective, and emotionally resonant, balancing personal narrative and broader metaphysical questions.
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Mixed / Critiques
5. Hammer to Nail Review
One reviewer noted that the film can feel “too self-focused,” spending a lot of time on Hardie’s personal anxieties rather than broader dream theory — though still finding value in its introspection and emotional honesty.
Audience Reactions (Letterboxd & Amazon discussions)
On community platforms, reactions are varied:
- Some viewers find it deeply engaging and reflective, worth watching for its personal honesty and visual storytelling.
- Others find it less compelling, sometimes feeling the focus is too narrow or self-referential.
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Themes & Style Highlighted by Reviewers
Across critical responses, several recurring points emerge:
- Personal & Intimate — The film is essentially a self-documented journey rooted in the filmmaker’s life, emotions and family.
- Mix of Science and Spirit — It blends scientific perspectives (interviews with experts) with contemplative, metaphysical reflection on dreams and meaning.
- Poetic Structure — Several reviews note its dreamlike structure and aesthetic, mirroring the subject itself.
- Exploration of Mortality — A thoughtful look at fear, acceptance, and how dreams can catalyse confrontation with mortality.
📌 Summary
The Edge of Dreaming is widely praised for its intimate, honest storytelling and thoughtful metaphysical reflection, though some viewers feel it leans toward personal introspection more than broader scientific exploration. Critics highlight its emotional depth, creative structure, and capacity to make viewers reflect on dreams, fear, and life’s mysteries — making it a memorable and evocative documentary.
