Where in the Hell

"Where in the Hell" is true to its auteur Cassavetes-era roots; acting so good you don't notice, authentic dialogue and settings in a disintegrating pandemic America, California style, with stunning scenery and never a boring moment. Writer/director Laramie Dennis has a light touch in dealing with potentially dark subjects (abandonment, ambition, the collapse of modern America), This witty road buddy comedy featuring a lesbian searching for her girlfriend in the company of a sexy, narcissistic Korean-American actor (both perfectly cast) will leave you smiling and and hopeful about humanity's ability to connect and survive whatever the future may throw at us. So timely considering the current political atmosphere in America.

This indie comedy is a breath of fresh air, offering a genuinely refreshing take on the roadtrip setting. What stands out is the subtle humor, which never feels forced. The comedic moments and chemistry feel natural between Cam Killion and Joohun Lee.

Watching their interactions almost as if I was a fly on the wall, observing the genuine dynamic of two good friends. Their journey to Canada, filled with unexpected trials and tribulations, becomes a relatable and heartwarming adventure. It's a testament to the actors' performances and clever writing that their struggles and triumphs feel so real, making you root for them every step of the way. This film is a delightful escape that proves you don't need grand gestures or outlandish plots to tell a truly engaging and funny story about friendship.

Where In The Hell, the first feature from writer/director Laramie Dennis, takes a timeless trope of the road picture/odd couple buddy comedy, and turns it on its head into something much more philosophical, charming, and quietly unknowable.

Kasey, a spiky and sardonic prop master, has unknowingly been stranded by her long time love in Lee Vining, California. (shout out to location name foreshadowing!) Without cell service, transportation, or her beloved dog Elmo, the future looks bleak. In short order she runs into Alan, a knock-a-round working actor with dubious appointments and a Chevy Volt. They decide to make the best of these near dystopian circumstances and strike out North, to where love and auditions potentially await. Besieged along the way by the promise of one night stands, waffles, a frozen pizza, the bespoke weed industry, grand theft auto, and no ATM service, the duo's acerbic back and forth comes to something like a hopeful ending, reminding us that wherever you go, there you are.

The filmmaker beautifully shoots the setting of the natural landscape and ramshackle buildings of Northern California with a painter's eye, and the desolate beauty of the abandoned dream of the West lulls you into meditative self-reflection, even as the two road dogs endure their own existential crises of self. It's a sweet story with an off-kilter voice that encourages the viewer to self reflect. The cast is all superb, especially Ashley Diaz as a would be psychic in training.

I'm excited to see what comes next from this talent.

I saw this movie at the Saint Louis International Film Festival in November 2024 at its premiere. I was fortunate enough to hear from the director, actors, costume designer talk about the film. I loved hearing them talk about making the movie and especially the director, Laramie Dennis, who talked about making a movie about those In-between Spaces of Life. -- That's where I was when I watched the movie and it hit me hard (in a good way). I had just moved to Saint Louis and everything was new. I was still working at my old job 2 states away wrapping things up, and everything felt not-quite-grounded, not in limbo, but more like in-liminal.

"Where In the Hell" nails that liminal space with beautiful scenery, dialogue, and laughter. As the audience travels with Kasey and Alan, we understand: everything will (eventually) work itself out for both characters. And we happily remember, that's how Life works: You're in the tunnel and you can see the tiny light at the end, and before you know it, there you are outside and on other side of the darkness. Laramie Dennis does a masterful job taking us on that journey, but I really appreciated that she took us to *just the end* of the tunnel and then let us imagine the next journey for Kasey and Alan on the other side.