Snappy little first film, really follows through. Pretty hard to believe that this is Karyn Kusama's first script and her first directing effort. It's a crying shame it didn't get further theatrical release, but I guess the distributors didn't want to take a chance. A bad business decision for such a fine film.
It's a small film, to be sure, but it's in all the right places, throwing all the right punches, from beginning to end. Michelle Rodriguez is wonderful throughout. In fact, the entire cast is excellent, which can only mean one thing -- Ms. Kusama is a real fine director.
The basic idea of the story is simple, but there are layers of emotion, well-defined characters, and lots of interplay that lends depth and texture. The camerawork is fresh, the art direction simple and real, and the whole film has a feeling of reality that transcends it's low budget. It also defies genre. In places, it's a teen-rebellion pic. But, it's also an adventure movie of sorts, a sports film, a love story, a battle in the War Between the Sexes, a conflict between generations, and a bit of a psychodrama. Our heroine has a burden or two to overcome.
I could think of a lot of ways to describe this film and other movies to compare it to, but I don't want to give away any more. Best to go in wondering and watching, and enjoy the filmmaker's art as it unfolds. I will tell you that I'm having trouble deciding whether to give this a 9 or a 10. It's at least a 9, but if we factor in the low budget, it clearly deserves more for being such an amazing first film. Enjoy!
It's a small film, to be sure, but it's in all the right places, throwing all the right punches, from beginning to end. Michelle Rodriguez is wonderful throughout. In fact, the entire cast is excellent, which can only mean one thing -- Ms. Kusama is a real fine director.
The basic idea of the story is simple, but there are layers of emotion, well-defined characters, and lots of interplay that lends depth and texture. The camerawork is fresh, the art direction simple and real, and the whole film has a feeling of reality that transcends it's low budget. It also defies genre. In places, it's a teen-rebellion pic. But, it's also an adventure movie of sorts, a sports film, a love story, a battle in the War Between the Sexes, a conflict between generations, and a bit of a psychodrama. Our heroine has a burden or two to overcome.
I could think of a lot of ways to describe this film and other movies to compare it to, but I don't want to give away any more. Best to go in wondering and watching, and enjoy the filmmaker's art as it unfolds. I will tell you that I'm having trouble deciding whether to give this a 9 or a 10. It's at least a 9, but if we factor in the low budget, it clearly deserves more for being such an amazing first film. Enjoy!