TuesdayThe17th Review of Don't Let Go

Don't Let Go (2019)

Bold and blazing with emotion but under developed and uninformative

[7/10 · 23 April 2020]

This is the new film from the director of the 2004 bullying epic "Mean Creek" which also happens to be one of my favorite movies of all time. Jacob Aaron Estes has only directed 3 feature films since 2004 with a long hiatus in between "Don't Let Go" and his last movie "The Details". "Don't Let Go" is most definitely an engaging film with really good performances from the actors. There is also some really good choices here. I actually really liked this movie. Upon its release it didn't exactly appeal to me. Not until I realized who directed it was I interested. I was hoping this movie would hold even a percentage of the emotional effectiveness "Mean Creek" did, which ultimately it did. This is a deep and affecting film. What frustrated me largely was the fact that the time travel was never explained and we were left flapping in the breeze with no idea as to what or why everything is happening. It really hit the fan for me when it showed the newspaper say the date was Friday the 29th and the gurl said in her alternate time zone it was the 25th...that would mean for her it was Monday. But then about 15 minutes later and a confusing depict of the movies time passing, it is said that its the 26th and its a Thursday. That would make NO sense considering we were already told that the 29th is a Friday....which would make the 26th a Tuesday....bot a Thursday. This movie is confused in itself but its so expertly made at the same time. Its like we are getting a look at a real situation. Its a movie with zero self awareness which is kinda cool. Not everything always HAS to be laid out perfectly for us to understand but there should have at least been some rules laid out for us early on so we could continue to follow the story exactly. Instead we spent the whole run time playing detective but getting nowhere while fully engaged in the film. The movie is a bit cinematic and basically has everything going for it except for the execution of the time travel which ultimately makes up the whole film. Supposedly there is minor hints as to why the time warp began in the first place but it is very vague and too subtle. Coming from Jacob Aaron Estes I was expecting the deep emotional pull but wasn't expecting the lack of information as "Mean Creek" is flawless in every way... Oh well there is always next time for another break out hit because if any director has it in them, it's him.