Lonesome

Tony K. Hall creates a brilliant ode to New Wave cinema. Amongst the whimsical quirks, delights, and happiness lies a deep-seed sadness. New Wave cinema are particular driven by character and interruption against plot-based narratives. You expect the unexpected in these films because life has ways of becoming very random at times.

How often does one find themselves in a perfect day? How often do you find those days again in a series of never-calculated events? Once it's gone, how do to you escape a reality were that may never come back. Lonesome is an exploration of love loss and missed connections. There is such an interesting idea behind the film.

Guy meets Roxie at the beach. With little expectations, he finds their relationship above and beyond what he has been searching for. He loses her in an event where nature calls. Ironic, Funny and deeply tragic. Within all the magic and imagination of the film, it fades slowly into this nightmare of a scenario. He's trapped in a depressive state as time literally flies by.

Zach McLain, I find impressive to be as dimensional as he is for the film. One of my favorite moments happen at the end of it. He seemingly accepts what reality is while demanding the universe for hope and optimism favorable in his direction.

Tony K. Hall maybe reflecting from a vivid past experience. The moment is very purposeful and very well crafted. These are moments of true consequence in any event of loss everyone have or will suffer from in their lifetime.

My only criticism it the arch of its female love interest performed well by Amber DeRuyter. The idea she's just being herself on a typical day which Guys stumbles into was so grand to me. To be shown later she has been searching for love as well, makes me wish she suffered the same emotional toll as well. It didn't affect her much as Guy.

I enjoyed the film and loved the black and white presentation of the story. Well done to the cast and crew.

This is an absolute independent gem, very under-rated and one of those films that you must see but haven't heard of! Caught this at a Wisconsin film festival and it was sublime.

This is a lovely film. I won't recap the outline; just suffice to say this director accomplished what he set out to do in a very visually (and audibly) effective way. This is a sit back and enjoy piece, not a lot to figure out -which lends the viewer time to take in the landscapes and the lovely music. This film screened at the Beloit International Film Festival and was highly rated by our audience.

There is something uniquely charming and wholesome about this piece. From the beautiful monochromatic shots, to the old-timey jazz, to the endearing early cinematic film tricks, Lonesome stands on its own. The films handles well a modern love story plagued by disconnection and spins it in a charming, 1920s, "tale as old as time" fashion that keeps the story fresh and intriguing throughout. There is also a refreshing simplicity in the symbolism throughout the piece - be it a filled/deflated beach ball, colored cotton candy in a monochrome world, the moments at which phones appear and disappear in the story - that show the attention-to-detail, care, and love the creators put into this film. Also to be appreciated is the sparse dialogue. Lonesome does what is hard to do in film in that the dialogue stays in the background, only complimenting the stunning imagery in the foreground when the story calls for it. This story truly does "show" and not "tell." Considering the budget, experience, and reliance on volunteer work, the film is truly something to be both proud of and thoroughly enjoyed by a wide range of audience members. A sweet connection between time, eras, and people.

Sometimes things are right under your nose! Loved the ending!! I loved it all. . Funny, sad, romantic. I seriously think #thehop needs to use some of your footage on their marketing campaign. Such pride in our city too - Milwaukee - it looks fantastic!! Excellent job Tony K Hall !!