Hannah Ha Ha

Slamdance Film Festival 2022 Greetings again from the darkness. We open on Hannah and her dad relaxing by the fire pit one evening. It's their happy place ... or is it contentment? Is there a difference? This first feature film from co-writers and co-directors Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky, is also the first film for most of the cast, including Hannah Lee Thompson in the titular role. Ms. Thompson is a musician by profession, and she proves to be a natural in front of the camera.

Hannah is nearing her 26th birthday and still lives with her dad (Avram Tetewsky, the co-director's real father) in a small town outside of Boston. She spends her days working the family farm, walking the neighbor's dog, giving guitar lessons to kids, and any other odd job that might pop up or be beneficial to the community. Hannah is overweight and gay, but seems fine with her life until her corporate-type older brother Paul (Roger Mancusi) begins urging her to get a "real job" with a career path and health benefits. This leads to an awkward job interview in the city and a further blow to Hannah's self-esteem.

Paul means well with his counseling, but is overbearing and condescending in his approach, leading Hannah to a mostly silent response. This is a textbook case of one person encouraging another to be what you think they should be, rather than what they want to be. Hannah settles on a kitchen job at a local "gourmet" fast food establishment. She's a very hard worker and takes in the often harsh life lessons that most of us learn along the way. There is a particularly poignant scene where Hannah, while on a smoke break, quietly observes others living their life. It's a prime example of how turning points need not be accompanied by fireworks and booming music.

The interesting contrast here is between Hannah's relationship with brother Paul, and her relationship with her aging father, who offers his insight: "it's good to be thinking about the future". His statement can be interpreted multiple ways, and it's quite likely Paul and Hannah view it differently. Hannah and her dad live a life which they are comfortable with. Is it mundane? Yes. Is it boring? Not to them. "Twilight Zone" marathons, ice cream cones, fresh tomatoes, and beer around the fire ... that's enough for them. Ms. Thompson's restrained performance draws us in, and allows us to contemplate the importance of contentment. This is a nice film festival entry and a debut of note from the filmmakers and Ms. Thompson.

Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky's debut feature, "Hannah Ha Ha," is a poetic meditation on the fleeting nature of time and the search for meaning. The story revolves around Hannah (played by the radiant Hannah Lee Thompson), a content yet restless woman in her mid-twenties, living in the small town where she grew up. Her older brother's arrival triggers a series of events that force Hannah to confront her ambitions and aspirations.

What sets "Hannah Ha Ha" apart is its dreamlike quality, achieved through the use of a hazy, impressionistic visual style. Pikovsky and Tetewsky capture the sensory details of the setting with precision, transporting the audience to the hot, humid summers of rural America. From the smoky scent of evening bonfires to the dewy texture of leaves, everything seems to come alive on screen.

However, the narrative can sometimes veer toward sluggishness, leaving the viewer wondering whether anything substantial will happen. Additionally, the relationship between Hannah and her brother lacks the necessary tension required to drive the plot forward. Nevertheless, the film's contemplative tone and evocative imagery make it a memorable viewing experience.

All in all, "Hannah Ha Ha" earns a well-deserved 7/10 rating from me. Its visually stunning cinematography, immaculate production design, and sensitive portrayal of human relationships render it a standout indie gem worth watching. Though not perfect, it's a testament to the power of cinema to transcend the ordinary and spark profound reflections.