Nineteen

Just saw "Nineteen" at Outfest in LA last night. It's one of two films for which I gave a rating of 5/5 (out of the six that were screened as part of a collection). As with any short film or story, there's got to be a "getcha" to bring you in. With "Nineteen," the "getcha" occurred about halfway into the film. It was a wonderful use of restraint. It created a gentle dawning of awareness that can really make a film viewer unexpectedly emotionally engaged. It was effective. I teared up with appreciation. The storyteller's heart to share this story shows through. Find this somewhere and let it unfold for you. The actors are known quantities and for them to have done this film gives credence to the story that it tells.