The entire film is eye candy, especially considering this is a low budget film, with camera angles, Seattle scenes, lighting and close ups that make the film a pleasure to watch. The dialog is simplistic, but on par with most films these days.
What really stands out is the tenderness and innocence of the story. The shots of children experiencing the wonder of an old time magic show are fantastic. And I had a good cry - there are several chances to shed some tears, but you leave feeling good about life and not depressed.
This film is PG or G, depending on whether you consider the subject of death to be appropriate for small children. I am not that offended by or against violence, crassness, or foul language in a film, but I do find it refreshing that this film is not infested with fart jokes, obscenities, and the assumption that everyone has a dark and nasty streak, especially coming from a young male director.
To learn that Jesse Harris wrote Living Life when he was 15, shot it when he was 17, and was able to figure out a way to finance it and find distribution on the day of his high school graduation is a screenplay waiting to happen in itself. His lack of arrogance, unpretentious storytelling, and pragmatic approach to advancing his career goal are good lessons for all independent filmmakers out there.
Go see this film, have a good cry, enjoy its visual beauty, and feel great about humanity and the ability of an aspiring and talented young director to have a dream fulfilled.
What really stands out is the tenderness and innocence of the story. The shots of children experiencing the wonder of an old time magic show are fantastic. And I had a good cry - there are several chances to shed some tears, but you leave feeling good about life and not depressed.
This film is PG or G, depending on whether you consider the subject of death to be appropriate for small children. I am not that offended by or against violence, crassness, or foul language in a film, but I do find it refreshing that this film is not infested with fart jokes, obscenities, and the assumption that everyone has a dark and nasty streak, especially coming from a young male director.
To learn that Jesse Harris wrote Living Life when he was 15, shot it when he was 17, and was able to figure out a way to finance it and find distribution on the day of his high school graduation is a screenplay waiting to happen in itself. His lack of arrogance, unpretentious storytelling, and pragmatic approach to advancing his career goal are good lessons for all independent filmmakers out there.
Go see this film, have a good cry, enjoy its visual beauty, and feel great about humanity and the ability of an aspiring and talented young director to have a dream fulfilled.