Joy and the Apocalypse

I must say, I didn't plan on writing a review of this movie, but reading the previous review by Sally Reinhardt motivated me to do so.

What an excellent movie! It's very rare these days to find a movie that I can say I've enjoyed from beginning to end; I am happy to say that Joy and the Apocalypse is the welcomed exception.

Once the credits begin to roll, it's obvious from the get-go that this is not your average "I have no money to make an independent film so I'll focus the camera on a fly and call it art" type movie. Instead, Joy and the Apocalypse takes a creative and extraordinary approach to film making; combining themes of love and loyalty with humor, all while interlacing elements of theater. The greatest gratification of the movie comes with watching the story unfold, since it kept me guessing the whole time.

To call the cinematography of this film great would serve it an injustice, I would call the camera work extraordinary. The camera angles, the focusing points, and the backdrop of Boston's cityscapes all add to the appealing visual delivery. Also, the overall picture quality is amazing considering the production only cost a meager 10K.

Of course, we can't forget the acting...Brilliant! Newcomer Reza Breakstone commands the screen with an intensity seen only in seasoned actors. Each careful line spoken creates a persona that grabs the viewer's attention and draws them in; I even found myself silently rooting for him and a happy ending. It makes me wonder with all the talent he has, where has he been before now? And let's not forget about Vanessa Leigh, the belle of Joy and the Apocalypse. What I first thought was a simple character, became a beautiful, complex, and emotional roller-coaster ride of a role. Skillfully crafted and executed with the most sincere of talent, she exudes an air of sophistication; but more importantly, she creates her own place in your heart. It was a real 'Joy' to watch her act.

Not to be underscored any, the supporting cast shows tremendous strength delivery in their roles. I enjoyed their unpredictability and clever acting. The roles meant to be funny are, the roles meant to be serious are, and the roles meant to be intense are exceptional. All of their combined hard work add to the melodramatic feel of the movie and create the constantly changing atmosphere necessary for a successful story. Look for Fiore Leo as Devin Harris, he has one of the most intense scenes I've seen in years.

Directors Ryan Convery and Daniel Black have created their own place in the history of Independent film with this gem. Between the creative story and the masterful camera work, their vision has been captured with the utmost expertise. Personally, I can't wait to see what their future works will be.

I don't know what your business is in this industry Sally Reinhardt, but it appears to me that you've been working in the wrong place. This movie has it all, great acting, impressive imagery, and above all a huge replay factor. If this is the future of film, then I have faith in the film industry once again. Cheers!