Breakup Season

This is one of my favorite films!! I saw it the first time during Atlanta's Cobb Film Festival, close to Mr. Riggs original film/home base. I had a relationship breakup myself, days before Christmas '23 and this was the catharsis I needed. And an all-around great production. Genius concept/writing/direction by Nelson Tracey and a superb cast who worked magically together! I could watch this one over and over. The setting involves Christmas, and it focuses on a very real phenomena, a strange curiosity in itself, that a very high percentage of breakups occur around the holidays. But I don't think of it as a Christmas film. However I'm sure that it will go down as one of the top ten "relationship films" of all time. Technically, it's a psychodrama, and Tracey and the cast beautifully bring to life a story that pulls the viewer into the very real pain and stress surrounding such a scenario. Do not expect your typical fluffy feel-good mindless romantic comedy. What it does is a lean toward film realism that presents a real-life socially-emotionally torturous representation of a breakup, like the real thing. It's important to note that Tracey insisted on filming this in some secluded icy location in the middle of nowhere, in order to bring it to life! I can just hear film professors lecturing about this years from now. But then it leads us out of that torture and extreme awkwardness, step by step, to a place where everyone survives and life moves on. And instead of "Omg will they get back together?", we're left with the reality that Every character Will grow, become more mature, and they will evolve. And that's life brothers and sisters.

I went into this film with no expectations, no preconceived notions, and no knowledge of the story, cast, or crew (except the Director). The film surprised me in many ways, from the story, the characters, and the locations. The cast is excellent and every one of them, in turn, steals the show. For some, it was their first feature film. The two main characters, played by Samantha Isler (Molly's Game, Captain Fantastic) and Chandler Riggs (Walking Dead) it was their debut performance as the lead in a feature. Their performances (and all them for that matter) give definition to the concept of suspension of disbelief. Simply stated, their characters are real, sincere, and relatable. It was Brook Hogan's film debut and she crushes it. She plays a wonderful mom, one I wish I had. Jacob Wysocki, James Urbaniak, and Carly Stewart all play original, interesting, and complex people, and each, like the all the rest, make this difficult art form look effortless. They are all fabulous.

This film is the directorial debut for H. Nelson Tracey, who not only directed the film, he wrote the story. Again, he makes it look easy. The writing is original, believable, and graceful. Chandler Riggs said on record that H. Nelson Tracey was the best director he has ever worked for. Go see this film, you will be glad you did. It is beautifully done.

Yes the name of this movie should've been stupid breakup cause that's what it is , the lead girl breaks up with the lead guy for the stupidest reason and I get it if hes a jerk but he's not and when she has the nicest guy wanting to be with her and why she's leaving him? Bc she wants space so ok that's all she has to say to him but instead she's acting all traumatized as if she's been attacked physically.

The lead girl was also very rude to liz when she's telling her abt her bf issues as if she doesn't want to listen to her.

The other issue is that it could've been a really good movie except for the boring main leads but the convos are very long and dont keep your attention. No intensity except the first dinner scene.

When watching indie films, I admit I am overly critical. The truth is, I grew up watching and experiencing studio-backed films with limitless budgets that captured the best effects, talent, story, and sound. I never thought much about how they got there or what was involved in the process.

Now that my child is studying and creating films, I am hyper aware of what each project involves. The sweat-equity far outweighs the budget and that makes me want to love each indie film I see. I want them all to succeed because I know they stem from passion, perseverance, and a desire to showcase a worthwhile product. But they are not all worthy of accolades. In fact, much like seeing someone else's kid in a middle school performance, some of the indie films I've seen are downright hard to watch for their lack of meeting my snobby, mainstream moviegoing standards.

Breakup Season was one of the rare gems in the indie film genre that was an absolute pleasure to watch. The story was raw and real. The locations were ideal and picturesque. The sound (my biggest pet peeve) was well done, and the music compilation was brilliant. The quality of the editing was impressive. Best of all, the acting was lovely, relatable, and inspiring. Well done EVERYONE involved in the making and production of this film.

Breakup Season is a movie that will touch your heart, make you laugh and cry, and remind you of why family - quirky though they be - is the foundation of love.

In the long and mostly undistinguished canon of holiday films, Breakup Season shines brightly and sweetly. While far from an obvious holiday film, the message of treating a stranger warmly and well despite her injury to your family member speaks meaningfully about the true holiday spirit. My one critique is that I think the breakup needed more background and narrative support to seem realistic. But this is a minor issue to the overall excellence of the film. I also found that the film's treatment of Le Grande OR made the town almost a character in the narrative of the film. As a first time director, Tracey has delivered a moving film. I look forward to watching his film career develop.