Ava

AVA: A Twist in the Road is an interesting character study of a woman who loses the man she loves and has to deal with her life in the aftermath of his death, and how she will move forward. It is rare to see a film that does such an in depth character study of one person, and it is fascinating to watch. The movie is unpredictable, and you're never quite sure what is going to happen next. The story is a very raw and honest look at love, loss, and struggle. The writing was superb in crafting this very unique story. The title is also very unique and very appropriate for the movie. Give this one a watch!

It's a realistic story which many will be able to relate to. It has a good mix of sad and charming. I really enjoyed Catherane Skillen's performance and see in the credits that she also wrote, directed and executive produced the film, which is not an easy task. Kudos to her for this accomplishment! One of the reasons I watch indie films is because a lot of them are based on realistic and relatable stories, unlike many mainstream films today. There are many touching, heartfelt and also awkward moments which will leave you caring for the lead, the supporting characters, and the situations they find themselves in. I cared because I actually know people like Ava, and could emphasize with her heartbreak, loss, sadness and desire to find strength to move on. I feel like one of the takeaways of this film is, "It's never too late"... Never too late to start all over again, never too late to gain your independence and confidence, never too late to let go, reinvent yourself, or start a new life. Another very important takeaway for me was the need to change when your circumstances change; importance of finding strength to overcome grief. The film felt personal in a way because I have a very close relative who was unable to recover and regain himself after loss. Seeing him wither away was a big tragedy. Glad that Skillen's character was able to let go and find inner strength to change along with her destiny.

In "Ava: A Twist in the Road," triple-threat director, writer, and actress Catherane Skillen has crafted a powerful character study that thematically explores the power of love and the overwhelming emotions associated with loss. Catherane provides a strong performance as Ava, an older woman struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of her soul mate. Her raw performance, coupled with strong supporting performances, amplifies the emotional story, and keeps the audience rooting for Ava's success. For a drama rife with pathos, the pacing is perfect and the cinematography, editing, and score all work together to support the film's message: find strength in loss.

Any good movie begins with the main character. Show us their world, what is important to them and why, and we will be engaged. "Ava: A Twist in the Road" is a demonstration of this. Catherane Skillen, who wrote, directed, and starred in the film makes this abundantly clear by presenting us with an imperfect character that we come to understand and care about. Prompted by best friend Leanne (Tannis Benedict), she moves back into the world hoping to reintegrate and piece her life back together again. The movie depicts life choices I suspect many must face in later years. Nice turn by Sophiah Koikas (as matchmaker Irma). "AVA" is a courageous story that asks what it means to be independent, how to deal with extended families who shun you, and still find your light.

I was very impressed by this indie drama and by the wonderful performance of Catherane Skillen. The film very effectively tells the story of Ava, a woman who unexpectedly is forced to rebuild her life at a later stage in her life. I love how this film fights ageism and shows you that no matter where you are in your life, it is never too late to change your ways and start over. I was very moved and engaged throughout Ava's journey, even when it seemed hard to relate to her at the beginning, she's a fully fleshed character who quickly wins you over and makes you root for her. It is also incredibly refreshing to see 50 plus women in leading roles and I truly wish there were more films like this.