I Think I'm Sick

First act was very slow, second act gets you hooked and the third act sells it. Somewhere around the middle I was worried it wasn't what I thought it was but wow... Exceeded my original expectations:) Connor Russell (Will) and Wes Brooks (Spanky) were great, but the daughter-father dynamic of Tia Tardy (Robin) and Paul Arthaud (Ed Young) were unbelievable. Tia Tardy definitely sold this movie for me, fantastically natural of an actress. Felt the really strong influence of Manchester by the Sea, with some scenes being eerily similar, but overall great first feature, really found the rhythm halfway.

This film proves to anyone who doubts it just how much subtlety a well-written, carefully-crafted, beautifully performed film can carry.

Danny Gevirtz trusts that we can reach the right conclusions without needing to have everything spelled out for us or hitting us over the head with the Message Hammer. When dealing with subjects like these (and the trigger warnings are VERY important), that's even more vital than in other films. The subtlety and artistry with which this movie is made is remarkable.

As an indie film (and one without major distribution at the time of writing) there's a near-zero chance it'll enter the race for Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes etc. But that's too bad for the awards voters: they're missing something very, very special.

This should be on every film school curriculum and in every filmmakers' library as proof positive you don't need to treat your audience like idiots to get your point across.

I liked the film, the acting was good. Good storyline, always something happening. Unpredictable ending. Not a feel good movie but makes you value life. Good job on a first movie people, love the YouTube content! Looking forward to seeing more films.

The film is set in an American high school. A suicidal boy embarks on making friends. You follow hin through a busy semester.

If I would need to criticise anything: Sound track in opening is a bit too much, the scene where Will goes to the shower his towel is on his shoulder but in the next cut it disappears and in one scene where Will is talking to the girls dad the seems to be a dead pixel. These are all of course all very minor details but I dunno this review needs to be long.

Good movie!

Wow! What a powerful movie. Tia's performance...especially that one scene (watch the movie, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about), UNBELIEVABLE. Connor's performance was great. Whoever played Spanky, amazing. Everyone was good. The cinematography, beautiful. The sound design, beautiful. This movie has one of the most heart wrenching scenes I've ever seen. I don't cry a lot from movies, but I look like a waterfall right now. This as a debut film is mind blowing. Deserved all the awards it won and wouldn't have been surprised if it won more. Well done Danny and crew! Can't wait to rewatch it.

Just a great film. This is why film festivals are important, as it was very likely that I would never watch this otherwise.

It touches on themes (not just suicide!) that are very, very sensitive and does so by always incorporating a very difficult to work with dark humor. It is quite effective in this task, knowing how to blend humor and the dramatic aspect almost always accurately, although it is stronger when it tries to be lighter.

The performances are strong, and everything feels quite genuine, very personal, and stories that we all experienced, saw, or heard among our friends. Excellent soundtrack and always surprising moments that leave us unsure of where the film might go, also because there are certain aspects left open.

There is one aspect that I didn't particularly love. The editing is mostly good, but it's noticeable that the editor is the one who directed and wrote it because there are one or two scenes that could very well be removed, but you can see the care of the person who thought them through. I have particular issues with the final three scenes as all could be strong individually, but all three seem a bit disconnected from each other.

Anyway, this is a fascinating film that made me laugh, cry, and admire some of its mastery, including technical aspects like the cinematography.