We Go Way Back

In a cinema landscape bloated on cookie cutter movies and TV show adaptations starring Ben Stiller, it sure it nice to find an original voice with something valid and important to say. Lynn Shelton's debut feature sets sail on an intangible journey, a segment of a girl's life doubled back on itself in search of direction and meaning.

There are a lot of smart choices made in this film. With songs by the highly underrated Laura Veirs to the unique and sublime The Decemberists, the soundtrack alone should have a long shelf life. Amber Hubert might be the best find since Chloe Sevigny, and Maggie Brown's understated haunting performance will burn images of her face into your brain for days to come.

Funny, unexpected, poetic moments litter the film with small surprises and grand yet surreal revelations. Cinematography, editing, acting, direction, and music are all way way above par. Films with a seemingly palpable soul are few and far between. This is one of those films.