All That Glitters

This was a film in the MFF 25 lineup I knew I wanted to see and it didn't disappoint! I grew up here in Wisconsin and to see Wisconsin's very own artists create a film like this and for it to be shot completely in Wisconsin makes me very proud.

A very ambitious film! It wasn't just your average high school teenage movie.

The lighting choices and how it changed throughout the film was intriguing. Going from the basic lighting at school reflecting the boring everyday suck that Chris is running from to more vivid colors felt intentional. The film also had this hazy effect which created this dreamy quality in my opinion! The aesthetic of this film is just pleasing to look at!

The story was unique and the acting was really good! I genuinely believed all of these actors were their characters! We also got to focus on the different characters' storylines in an interweaving way that just made sense.

Beautifully casted for all of the characters but Jack Welshons and Monterio Caldwell are a pair that I loved on screen. From the moment their characters (Chris and Mack's) joint journey started, I was in. Buckled and ready for the ride! There was this awkward energy between them yet at the exact same time it felt like they were meant to cross paths. As if they'd been lifelong childhood friends in past life!

I'm glad I was able to see this in the theater! It was a great experience!

The characters in this felt so real and literally remind me of my IRL friends! There were a lot of earnest moments but matched with a good bit of funny moments in here! It was so good!! My bias is with Sarah because her name is so close to mine! She's my b**** in my head and I'll ride for her Lol. Her friends were fake for how they handled what happened at the party! (Trying not to spoil) My favorite parts of the whole movie were with Chris and Mack. Idk I just loved them together Lol. Their friendship was so short lived but they went through so much craziness with each other in that short time, literally Hours it wasn't even a full day. Loved it byee!

I enjoyed this film. It was pretty good and the story itself was engaging. The party scene was realistically done. The party scene seemed as if it were after the height of the party because Chris and Mack arrived late. I say it was realistically done because that is usually where more real conversations happen at parties, at least in my experience, when the party dies down. Those conversations were the more interesting/heartwarming parts of the film, seeing the characters have moments to simply open up. Being intoxicated usually opens that portal to heavy emotions/reflecting. I enjoyed those brief heart to heart-intimate conversations throughout the film. Specifically the conversations in the room between Sarah/Dominic and Sarah/Mack. Dominic finally opening up to Sarah because he's on the verge of losing her and Mack being an emotional wreck because he's struggling with a progressing addiction while also being on shrooms during the conversation and other drugs he did prior to the party. Sarah just being on the receiving end but providing a space for these two guys to let out their emotions. I liked hearing the story that made Dominic develop his hard exterior. The conversations with Sarah and Mack hit Sarah in a vulnerable place as well because of her similar struggle with addiction. They see each other. Also, Mack noticing how talented Sarah is with her art. Beautiful! The conversations were just real and I enjoyed that. My only issue with the film was that we didn't get more of that. Things felt unresolved but maybe that was the point. Nevertheless, good film and will be recommending it.