Written & Directed By: David Robert Mitchell
Cinematography By: James Laxton
Editor: Julio Perez IV
Cast: Claire Sloma, Marlon Morton, Amanda Bauer, Brett Jacobsen, Jade Ramsey, Nikita Ramsey, Megan Boone, Amy Seimetz
Four young people navigate the suburban wonderland of metro-Detroit looking for love and adventure on the last weekend of summer.
This film is precious and sweet in it’s own way. A coming of age story that is full of vignettes that bring up the memories of innocence and how all emotions were magnified at that age. In the film’s own hazy magical feeling that should have endeared the film, With the film’s own nostalgic feeling.
I don't like to be too critical of indie releases as they have a hard time finding an audience in the first place
I guess as I get older. It’s also the fact that I watch more and more films each year and it’s hard for a film to make it’s mark unless it is truly something special. Though I love Coming of age stories. I have seen it done better and more endearing. Though here the film has an inherent sweetness and a bit of innocence
This film while cute also seems to lack a personality. So it’s hard to feel anything for it. The filmmaker might have planned it that way. Since most of the characters are on the cusp of becoming full fledged teens. Yet they are still forming physically and emotionally. So they are off balance full of romantic ideals, but also full of raging hormones. In that same way the film is formless while trying to find meaning in all of this, but truthfully there is none. So it’s almost like watching a naturalistic film. Like a scripted documentary almost, only again with no purpose.
In the film it’s rare to feel like anyone is acting. Though it is obviously planned, but there are some simple pleasures into the film. The impromptu dance performance. The whole storyline of the guy who comes home from college and looks up girls he went to school with. The storyline of the boy hunting down the girl he believes is the love of his life from just one look. It’s intriguing at first with his flirtation with his friend’s older sister, but it soon becomes monotonous as well as the rest of the film.
While it is a welcome experience to see teenagers be treated more like adults and characters not exploited as a stereotype. The film seems to focus more on relationships romantic and friendly ones. That is a change though doesn't enliven the material. As not too much happens and it is hard to keep it wrest with so many fluctuating feelings. It is more of a film that can be appreciated by adults, but seems more designed and appropriate for the age group it centers around.
As it offers little to no insight for adults unless it was specifically designed for them to just feel nostalgic watching it. Or hopeful insight Into their own teenagers.
Though this seems more like an idealistic examination. The film has a poetic disposition, but one that i found it hard to get into.Though i can see others influenced by it, It is obviously inspired by Terrence Malik's style. Luckily not as abstract and with more dialogue.
Then again this is supposed to be somewhat of a comedy. That feels more realistic then Anything. As it focuses On the teenagers and barely acknowledges any adults which seems to be same attitude almost like the kids themselves.
Artistically it maybe interesting but watching it I found my mind wondering half the time
Wait For Cable.
GRADE: C+
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