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.

I really enjoyed watching Scrap. This movie is just full of heart and authenticity. The characters felt so reel and lived in. Script and direction were really excellent and had me engaged from the start to the end. I loved how Ben and Beth really had a connection that felt real. They have their flaws, but accept each other and support as best they can. There were painful moments when Beth would continue to make bad decisions.. but that added to the realism of the characters.. as we all do that in our real lives. The journey that all the characters felt genuine and I wanted to know what was next for them in their lives. I really enjoyed the music and the beautiful cinematography. Just well done on all levels and a joy of a film. Highly recommended.

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.

Scrap, written, directed and star by Vivian Kerr is a drama who speaks about homelessness and infertility issues with great sensitivity. It's a great family story as well.

The film tells the story of Beth (Vivian Kerr) who is homelessness after losing her job, her pride to keep it a secret from her brother and sister-in-law and the guilt for the burden she's placed on her family.

Anthony Rapp, as Ben, Beth's brother and Stacy, his wife, star by Lana Parrilla, are brillant.

We really enjoyed this film and the fantastic performances of its actors. We hope it see it very soon in theaters or on our TV screens.

Hard to believe this is the debut feature for writer, director, and actor Vivian Kerr and her producing partner, Rachel Stander. A beautifully told story of personal struggles and confronting the painful curveballs that life can throw at us. The portrait of Beth initially avoiding, but ultimately acknowledging the reality of her situation and accepting the help of those closest to her to overcome her setbacks was extremely realistic and relatable. The entire cast was fantastic. And the music - just wow! What an unexpected treat and such a critical underlying element to the family's story. All the elements of a great film delivered as close to perfection as one could hope for. Just like Beth's preparations for her new home with Birdy.