Several Ways to Die Trying

Screenwriters just think 'teenage protagonist' + 'teenage issues' = story. Rarely do they ask 'why teens specifically?' Teenagers have a blinkered outlook. There is also raging hormones, an irrepressible impulse to do certain more grown-up things, the opposite sex's insidious physical maturation, the confusing conflict between libidinal energy and romantic love, and the pressures of school and parents. You can't blame grown-ups for forgetting all this. Teens aren't just immature adults - they're people who are dealing with a lot of things for the first time. And at the same time. It is as much an irony that they live such a blinkered existence at a time they could really do with vision and foresight, as it is that Romeo and Juliet committed suicide.

Here, we have a laser focus on teen angst. Several Ways to Die Trying is a film that is mostly dialogue. It is a real dynamic between the two characters, who we stick with like glue. It is a sweet, heartfelt tale. They're both performed well, too - especially for the production's small scale.

"Several Ways" does not offer answers for those who are wandering with no direction known, but it is comforting to know that Dart and Molly are walking the same road, and maybe together we can at least find a sign post. Subtle wit, dark humor, and some "stellar" debut performances combine to make this a superb film worthy of a place in any DVD collection. While perhaps not as popular as certain other films about finding purpose in New Jersey, writer/director Glen Tickle and his amazing editing crew are well on their way to such great heights. Highlights of the film are the story itself, and specifically the scene between our protagonists at the lake, and the final scene/ ending sequence. Lowlights are merely the result of an independently financed movie; with a larger budget, this would be ready for a limited release in the northeast, easily.

Despite the darkness implied by the description of the plot, this ultra- low budget independent film, is somehow saved by the adorableness of teenagers taking life far too seriously.

Filmed in and around Lopatcong, New Jersey, the film consists primary of two characters talking as they walk through the woods. My initial reaction was annoyance with the characters (especially Dart's crap attitude), but as the film progresses it becomes clear that this is necessary to his character - a character who has written a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book, where every path leads to doom. His moodiness is an important contrast to Mouse's whimsical, playful personality and I enjoyed watching the two together.

Like most films made on this budget by young filmmakers, the film has its flaws, but like scratches and pops on an old record, somehow those add to, rather than detract, from the film's charm. There's no reputation to live up to here, no summer blockbuster special effects to fill millions of movie seats with, just a bunch of people who want to tell a story about a couple of teenagers trying to navigate a difficult world they're trying to make sense of.

With its obvious affection for its youthful leads, the film's screenplay wanders along a familiar and vaguely Salingerian (is that a word?) path between sadness and humor.

It's got a lot of heart, and whatever its flaws, I can say unreservedly that I hope to see more from everyone involved.

I saw this film at one of its original screenings and have not been able to forget about it since. This is truly one of those films where you find yourself wondering where the time went at the end of the film. You look down at your watch after being glued to the screen for a what feels like twenty minutes and ask yourself at the end "uhhhh where did my two hours go?"

The character development is excellent. The relationship that is created between the two central characters is painfully believable. Anybody who has ever wanted to be with someone who wanted nothing to do with them will enjoy every moment of this movie.

Also, the subtle humor littered throughout the film takes you away from the bittersweet relationship only long enough to make you laugh, but then puts you right back into the thick of it.

Literally the only thing missing is the DVD in my collection.

Great job Glen. Keep it up.

Not many directors are insane enough to try and shoot a feature length film in a month.

Out of that few, even less are able to actually do it.

Glen is able to create a sense of camaraderie and loyalty within his cast and crew that makes them want to get the job done, not just for him or themselves, but to see what this "evil genius" has created. If it comes between the safety of someone that he is working with and the shot that he originally had in his head he will alter his idea, coming up with something else that keeps the integrity of idea.

Basically, after all that rambling, if he keeps his process and quality going the way that it has been he will go far... and then I can say I knew him when!!!