A Cell Phone Movie

A Cell Phone Movie was featured at the Athens Film Festival, and I was lucky to catch it. The star, Will, turns in a heartfelt performance and nails the comedic timing. The actor who plays Alan is a scene stealer. If he's on camera, then the audience is laughing hard. The premise is purposefully straightforward, and the execution elevates the film. It's funny, surprising, and in the area where you can tell what's coming the crew homers the scene. All thriller. No filler.

But actually one of the best comedy films I've seen all year! Laugh out loud funny, impeccable comedic timing, moving, & motivational. I'm obsessed with (as Sterling put it after the premiere at SoHo film fest) the 'casual queerness' he incorporates so effortlessly - heck yes to more of this! I also choked up when the character says "I did it for me."... And then straight back to laughing.

I saw this movie at the Noho Cinefest. I went to support some friends who were in it. I was hopeful, but I didn't expect to like it this much. It reminded me of turning on the IFC channel and coming across some random indie film where you don't know any of the actors' names, but they are all so funny and vibrant and the movie itself has such an urgency to it that you can't help but be charmed.

This movie is so unapologetic with its need to dream. Watching Will play, I assume, a version of himself, a 30s-something who's desperate and crazy enough to make a movie on his cell phone without any money-even when he doesn't fully know what that movie should be-in order to keep his dream alive, moved me so much. "Do Art At All Costs" is what I kept feeling while watching this movie, in between laughing my butt off.

The fact that it's all filmed on a cell phone created this hilarious, charming world of the amateur. But even though is has an "amateur" feel due to the cell phone, the acting was great and the blocking was really clever. They got so many great laughs out of simple pans and they made locations that I usually find kind of boring in low budget movies feel purposeful and endearing. It made me fall in love with Los Angeles again-full of dreamers who become cynics and cynics who become Don Quixotes.

I've become skeptical of meta-movies over the years. They can sometimes just feel lazy and self-indulgent. Then there are times when they can be the most inspiring thing an artist can give to the world. This is the latter.

I had the privilege of viewing this film's screening at the Black Cat Picture Show - it was a real highlight of the night! So often I have heard the phrase passed around by industry giants that "you can make a movie on your cell phone these days." This film tackles that challenge in a clever, fourth wall breaking, and hilarious way.

Will Sterling gives fantastic direction, and wonderful acting alongside a stellar cast. You quickly grow attached to the characters as their friend group forms in the story. The humorous blend of real-life inspirations and over-the-top shenanigans surprises you throughout the film. Being both in front of and behind camera, Will demonstrates remarkable versatility here.

Several shots in this film left me baffled that it was filmed on a phone, the camera work and pacing in the editing is snappy and cinematic. If you're looking for a slice of life story with charm and wit, made by someone who is deeply passionate about filmmaking, I highly recommend A Cell Phone Movie!

Starting with the poster and title, any filmmaker can pick out that it's a movie shot on a cell phone, about making a movie shot on a cell phone. Got that? Great! The concept did its job.

This movie is so much more than that. Will Sterling proves farther than audience expectations that a meta movie can still drive emotions, conflicts, and relationships, as it drills into the core of every struggling actor or filmmaker that has tried to do something with themselves in this industry.

Will, who happens to have written, directed, and produced, also stars in this beloved tale as a washed up mid 30 something actor that has no respect from his peers. And why should he? He is chasing the tail of other people's advice, and never the beat of his own drum.

What then engages is self-reflective comedy that has you balling in laughter over the discomfort of being in that EXACT position, and allowing ourselves to laugh at our own circumstances. Throw in some very clever devices, one liners, and other insightful intrigue that many Los Angelians go through in the entertainment business, and you have an Indie that never drags over the course of 75min.

I applaud Will for making this with a micro-low budget, a well chosen cast and crew, and proving to every artist out there that nothing should be stopping them from fulfilling their dream: only we are getting in our own ways.

My only dink of criticism lie in those details that you only have so much control over in post: grainy shots, some headaches for a steadier cam, and lines that received ADR when mouths weren't moving. This adds to the reminder, that as great I felt about the film, there will always be something distracting to pick at. Like those mentioned, and the fact I could always see Will's nose ring inside his nose (sorry Will.)

Go for the gimmick, stay for the heart. It's pieces like this that give indie films courage to make more, and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for the brilliant mind of Will Sterling (and with a bigger budget.) This will mark a new chapter, for this should be the standard for what all low budget features should strive for.