This smaller movie, filmed in a California coastal community stars Beau Bridges who also was the producer. The cast also includes his 30-yr-old son. Just interesting facts, nothing more.
There are several things going on in this story but the main one is a hotel corporation evaluating the community for a new resort. That is in conflict with what many (or most?) want, a new cannery for this fishing community.
A new family moves into the area, a woman who works at the local restaurant/bar and her 9-yr-old, non-verbal son named Oscar. He was born premature, had some needed surgery which damaged his vocal cords, but he is very bright and catches on to new things quickly.
The boy has an old Mamiya C220 TLR camera that was handed down from his deceased dad, who had gotten it from his dad. The camera wasn't working, needed some cleaning and repairs, but the boy often carried it around his neck. He seemed interested in photography but under the circumstances made drawings instead in his notebook.
A chance meeting with Eric (Beau Bridges), the local fix-it man, who also was an avid photographer, changed everything. Eric had an identical camera, loaned it to Oscar, gave him some instruction, taught him the art of B&W film developing and printing in his darkroom.
A number of things transpire from that start, Eric becomes the friend Oscar needed, someone who appreciated him for who he was. And, Oscar's photography ended up uniting the community after much turmoil.
Good movie, my wife and I watched it at home, streaming on Prime. After our usual Saturday evening steak and wine dinner. With chocolate cake for dessert, of course.
