2 Lives in Pittsburgh

The film examines Silverman's character Bernie-a working class middle aged man in Pittsburgh who has to confront two conflicts in his life- his dying mother and his bias against his 8-year old child Matty who his trying to embrace himself and his gender as a girl. Well shot in Silverman's hometown of Pittsburgh, the film is well acted and a honest look at an average Joe who is forced to accept something he never realized. How, Silverman embraces his character's acceptance and chatharsis is handled with grace and conviction. It's a warm film and a compassionate/intelligent look at race, gender/and identity.

How strange to turn on prime and see the street I lived on 50 years ago, the roads I traveled everyday and the place where I worked in the Seventies. It hasn't changed much. And all the over the top Pittsburgh gear. I know so many Steeler heads just like this guy, whose lives are a blue collar jobs, beer, football and toxic masculinity. Women, too. It's definitely a thing. The movie was very well done and captured the authenticity of people and was very moving. The grandma character was the best. Quirky and real. Odd choice of a girl to play the role, though, but I can see why it was done that way.

I was blown away how much I liked this movie. The acting was so good, the storyline really surprised me at the end. It is a heartwarming story about families and how to learn to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations. I am from Pittsburgh and it made me think about all the people I grew up With and this film Nailed Pittsburgh and peoples views. If it is at a film festival near you run to see it, don't walk!!!

I liked how the character's developed and continually surprised the audience in ways that were not expected. The Grandmother was the best for comedy and surprises. The father was a true Pgh guy.

This movie was good! Very enjoyable. Pittsburgh is HEAVILY featured. This film won't let you forget that it's set in Pittsburgh. Pretty much every shot has something black and gold in it.

The script is clever and well-written. Dialogue is as natural as it can be, while acting is also pretty solid.

Where this film's weak spot is lies within the story. It has a narrative and the characters are interesting, but it's coherent at best. It's a collection of events about a young trans girl named Maddie. However, it's her coming out saga through the lens of her father and grandma trying to understand and accept her. There are a few moments of conflict and the level they are at are done EXTREMELY well, (the garage after Bernie finds out what's happening at school, the front-yard drag show, etc.) These moments are great, but, there isn't much done with it-- it falls before anything happens.

There's a few dynamics that feel like there should have been more context to or more of a set-up for it to feel like an actual payoff. (For example, the letter that Clara leaves after she passes. I would do the whole funeral scene/ explaining the significance of the letter/ what it contains WAY differently. I can't explain too much without spoiling.)

Overall, this movie is a great representation of the (potential) struggle of a semi-conservative blue-collar worker who's kid is trans. Needs a bit more polish, however, it's worth a watch if it's playing at your local festival.

Saw this at the Garden State Film Festival. Just a wonderful film full of heart. It'll make you laugh and make you cry and hopefully make you think a little bit. Couldn't recommend this film more. The relationship between father and child and mother and child and father and his friends all really connect and pay off in the end. Besides the wonderful performances, the cinematography is especially well crafted. In a time when small dramas have fallen out of favor and the multiplexes are mostly screening low-budget horror films and huge-budget super-hero movies, this is a magical little film that deserves a big audience. Rent or buy it and enjoy it, it is move well spent for a true cinema experience.