Scrap

I took a chance and decided to go see this one last night at Cinequest in downtown San Jose. Based on the trailer, I got the sense that this would be a more intelligent film than the others I'd seen in the festival so far. Boy, was I right: writer/director/star Vivian Kerr has pulled off a supremely confident feature debut which manages to contain JUST the right amount of quirky humor and emotional resonance without it ever once feeling forced, as so many other films in this genre and style tend to do. Beautifully shot on location in Los Angeles, and featuring a surprising soundtrack of 1920s and 30s-era music, Scrap manages to incorporate themes as wide-ranging as homelessness and young motherhood, all of which are handled delicately while the film itself remains a breezy character study of a young woman who is just barely getting by in life, but tries her best nevertheless.

Scrap feels like one of those quietly powerful films that trusts the audience to engage emotionally without being spoon-fed. It leans into subtlety rather than spectacle, with a minimal score and restrained cinematography that allow the performances and script to take center stage. Vivian Kerr delivers a deeply internal performance-most of her character's conflict plays out through her expressions, her silences, and what's left unsaid. It's a film built on emotional nuance rather than overt drama. Some viewers might interpret its pacing as slow, but it's more accurately described as deliberate and contemplative. The tension simmers quietly beneath the surface, creating a sense of unease and intimacy. The script is tight, with no wasted dialogue, and every scene feels purposeful. It's an understated yet impactful indie gem-honest, quietly affecting, and refreshingly devoid of melodrama. Fans of character-driven stories and restrained storytelling will likely find *Scrap* a rewarding watch.

I have not emotionally recovered. I felt for all the the characters so deeply it hurt. Every aspect of this film was intimate and intentional and simply beautiful. Lana Parrilla and Anthony Rapp's chemistry was perfection. Vivian Kerr stuck the landing on all her events from the writing to acting. They knew exactly the story they were telling and how the characters belonged in their world. It was stunning. Scrap told the story of the pain and beauty of just being human. How desperately lonely and loved we are simultaneously. I can't wait for this movie to be on my shelf, in my home, waiting to be watched over and over again.

I haven't spoken to my sibling in years, and watching *Scrap* felt like getting punched in the gut-equal parts guilt and love. The portrayal of Beth and Ben's relationship was so real it made me squirm. Their conversations, filled with awkward pauses, tension, and unspoken pain, mirrored the complicated history I have with my own sibling. It was like I was intruding on something deeply personal, something that wasn't meant to be seen by others. There weren't dramatic reconciliations or emotional speeches-just the small, quiet struggle to reconnect. And that's what made it powerful. It reminded me that sometimes showing up, even when it's hard, is the bravest thing you can do. Watching them try, fail, and still sit in the discomfort felt like a message meant for me. It left me wondering if it's time to try too, even if I don't know what I'd say.

This film beautifully and skillfully intertwines its main story & the hardship that Beth (Vivian Kerr) faces, with the stories & hardships of her Brother Ben (Anthony Rapp) and his wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla). The connection between the actors made the characters and their stories so much more beautiful.

Scrap captures some beautiful places of L. A, along with some hard hitting places that go hand in hand with the seriousness of the story.

I loved how well the music is paired up with their scenes, and how the pieces of each music tells a story within themselves during those scenes too.

The film is a credit to all of its cast and crew.

I am grateful that I have been able to watch this wonderful piece of art. And would definitely recommend other people to watch it too.