I caught this film at DANCES WITH FILMS in Hollywood last night and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly entertained. Being a veteran of many film festivals, I have to admit that it is rare to find independent films that are worth the hour and a half they ask of you. This one was bare-bones to the core, but most indie movies are. You quickly forget the rough edges and deep focus shifts (some I'm sure were intentional) and get lost in the story of a thirty-something musician adrift in the L.A. dating world after a premature marriage, one that produced both a beautiful child and enduring bitterness.
What strikes you about this film is it's sheer force of will. It sucks you in, sometimes making you dizzy in the process. But this WORKS. The characters reveal their flaws without apology and we spend this time with them, always wanting to know where they are headed. The writing is top notch, even if at times I wondered what certain vignettes actually meant to the story on the whole. GAMEFACE also contains some of the most achingly funny moments I have seen in a very long time. Long story short, this movie deserves to be seen. The performances were solid and at times heartbreaking, and the direction was assured and daring. There isn't a doubt in my mind that we'll be seeing more of all of them soon. The killer soundtrack doesn't hurt either.
I don't much comment on movies here, but this one is well worth your time and money. So if you ever get a chance to catch GAMEFACE (and I'm pretty certain you will) be sure to do so. You won't be sorry.
What strikes you about this film is it's sheer force of will. It sucks you in, sometimes making you dizzy in the process. But this WORKS. The characters reveal their flaws without apology and we spend this time with them, always wanting to know where they are headed. The writing is top notch, even if at times I wondered what certain vignettes actually meant to the story on the whole. GAMEFACE also contains some of the most achingly funny moments I have seen in a very long time. Long story short, this movie deserves to be seen. The performances were solid and at times heartbreaking, and the direction was assured and daring. There isn't a doubt in my mind that we'll be seeing more of all of them soon. The killer soundtrack doesn't hurt either.
I don't much comment on movies here, but this one is well worth your time and money. So if you ever get a chance to catch GAMEFACE (and I'm pretty certain you will) be sure to do so. You won't be sorry.