This is a good film. The performances are excellent. For Theo Rossi fans he has a major part and his work is just fine, touching, and realistic. I was happy to watch him for extended scenes because I use to savor some of his brief scenes on Sons of Anarchy. Not sure how much the audience will cross over from SOA to this. But I enjoyed both.
Karen Allen shows the grief and love of this mother who has an indefatigable spirit to help her daughter. An amazing portrayal of a developmentally disabled woman by Iris Gilad. She is a young stage actress making her film debut. We will see a lot more of her.
The father played by the silver haired Michael Harney is every bit the crusty, irish alcoholic drowning his sorrows at the neighborhood bar without being a cliché. The handsome Johnny Wentworth is the oldest son - a disgraced veteran with PTSD and a nasty drug habit.
Calvin Dutton is a newcomer and he knocks it out of the park playing the suitor of Deedee. He is great.
So, it is sad. This story is major sadness - such as you experience with Eugene O'Neil or Tennessee Williams. After you experience what you THINK is the climax there is still 30 mins left.....room for even sadness. Don't watch the movie if you are sad, as I did.
The film is understated, realistic, and depressive however I promise you will end with a smile. There is hope for these people.
