Growing Up Thirty (2005) User Reviews

Excellent Romedy/Dramedy

[VinceRocca · 7/10 · 6 September 2005]

Excellent first time feature. They really hit the Romedy/Dramedy nail on the head.

The performances are solid as a rock. It is a rarity to find this caliber of acting in an independent flick. Maybe the Director just knew how to direct, but alas, another rarity in an indie. Either way the pay off is on screen.

The picture set up's and composition are great. The cinematography really shows an eye for details. Shades of blue and red highlighting the right moods. Add unique camera angles that could only come from and indie perspective to spruce up the landscape, and you get a fresh mix of indie art-house and polished Hollywood.

The musical score flat out rocks. It fits the flicks tone to a "T". It's so perfect, and dead on that I would imagine it cost a pretty penny for music alone.

To top it all off, in twined with the endearing moments (that kept the wife in smiles,) there was some pretty great nipple twisting laugh out loud moments (that kept me in stitches.)

Check it out, you won't regret it.

Nicely done.

[pjdigger · 7/10 · 27 June 2006]

'Growing Up Thirty' is a nicely produced look at the transition guys make at or about the time they turn thirty. The theme is familiar and I couldn't help but be reminded of Kevin Smith's films but all in all this micro-budget film delivers. The ensemble cast is likable and the dialogue is real. While I could have used a few less moments where the lead speaks directly to us, the story progresses well in a slice of life way. We're not talking high drama Jack Bauer has to find a bomb here... It's a movie about ordinary people and I found it well directed for a flick that's obviously had a tiny budget. Director Peter Bruno takes the familiar and presents it in a pleasant and poignant way.

A rarity - a low budget flick worth seeing for its merit not its flaws.