weaver-27076

You know, I watch a lot of independent films with unknowns, and I have been known to leave some blistering reviews. I have read the many reviews here, and I don't understand. This is an Excellent film. Say what you will about sound, direction, mis-casting, yadda-yadda. Yes it was slow. Yes it was brooding. Yes it seemed to take forever for a plot to gel.

But, PLEASE give this film a chance. I think the many criticisms are exactly the point of this dark story and how it needs to be told. I don't care about the technical aspects, though I had to go back several times, after nodding off. I really think we have a gem here. And a very important story to tell.

I slogged through about 42 minutes of this mess...I bailed during the endless awkward drivel taking place outside the liquor store. I got so bored, I went over to IMDB to learn more about why I was wasting my time waiting for a plot to happen, or anything remotely believable. The film has a decent production quality to it, as long as you are into completely deserted places in the middle of a thriving city. I desperately hung on, hoping this might be a decent dark humor flick, or decent sleeper cult piece. I even got hopeful for the dispatcher, thinking just maybe her role would be iconic like the radio DJ in 'Warriors'. Nope. Of our three main actors, only college boy seemed a bit believable as an actor, or even comfortable being on set. The clown cop thing brings nothing to the story, and wastes a lot of time. I finally found my mind wandering to the point of wondering whether Eyebrows was going to get naked or not. I'm still heavily undecided if I want to invest another 42 minutes waiting for something to happen.

Beginning film makers would do well to test their plots against small focus groups before whipping out the whiz-bang equipment. Just because you can make a film doesn't necessarily justify doing so. Have a story line. Especially if you lack the funds for expensive special effects. I felt like I was watching paint dry.

I'm sorry, but I just could not connect with this film at any level. The protagonist was dark and brooding from the beginning, with a very thin backstory. Dad was mis-cast; possibly everyone. There was no natural chemistry. The side players all seemed forced and uninteresting. Constant dark shots of rain, and long, pregnant pauses did nothing to either make the story flow, or tie it together. Long story about a loveless marriage, an unhappy man looking for a midlife crisis, an unbelievable daughter. All of it. I can't find a single instance where the characters were tied together in any real, cohesive, relatable way. Maybe it was simply bad writing. Whatever it is this film left me empty and flat.