The Garage

A truly moving story. Wonderful composition of shots and a strong theme make this is a compelling indie movie. Not one to miss! Watch for new faces that demonstrate some sound break-out performances! The filmmakers took great care in crafting this story and it clearly shows as we follow Matt's journey though the film. If you can watch this film at one of the many festivals it has been accepted to, you should. Don't wait for a DVD release, but rather watch it on the big screen. The cinematography alone makes it worthwhile, and the strong story strikes home for most father/son relationships in real life. It can make you reflect on your own personal situation and that is the message of a powerful film.

Just watched the movie at the LONG ISLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM EXPO on Long Island, New York. What a great film! More films should be made like this one. Audiences wait for a movie like this to hit the screen as it gives them a reason to feel a film, instead of just watching one. I really enjoyed the story and the depth of the characters. I learned after the film that it was semi-autobiographical of the writer/director Carl Thibault. I also learned that this was his first film, and what a way out of the gate! His direction was flawless and the performances he got from his ensemble cast came together to execute a story that was truly heartfelt! The photography alone is a reason to see this film!

My husband has a 1967 Chevy SS convertible and a 1968 Chevy Impala, and has built a garage as an appropriate temple to his icons. I have never understood why until I saw this film. Skirting devilishly close to cliché, this coming-of-age-movie never succumbs. Instead, every time you think you know what's coming, something a bit different shows up. The characters are real, their agony shared, and their interactions cause laughter and tears. The 35 mm film and natural lighting provide an appropriate texture to this real-life, grease-on-you-face experience. Watching this movie was like flipping through a scrapbook of everytown USA and spending a day in your past. Even those of us who did not grow up in a small town have small towns inside us. The music was original (nice guitar work; some really good rock) and the acting brilliant for such young actors. I wanted my husband, father and son to see it immediately.

I caught this film this past week at a film festival, and was very happy I did. The film is both well directed, and well acted. It's not edge of your seat entertainment, nor do I imagine it was intended to be. But what it is, is a very effective, believable and absorbing character study that's both technically superb and believable in its execution.

Though he might not look like a conventionally leading man, Gabriel Marantz more than carries the film. He portrayal of the lead character is both believable, and rife with pathos. Solid film and I highly recommend it.

I came away from this film with a warm feeling of nostalgia. A longing for those long summers of youth. In the evocative way of movies like Stand by me I was transported to a time before the realization that all people are flawed and that it's just the human way. The complications of adulthood loom and start to encroach on the childhood idyll. I loved this film. I loved it's slow grace as we moved through the days, bonded with characters over shared memories and grew. The cinematography is not contrived but frames the story in a non intrusive warm hand that allows the viewer to gently travel the story with the characters who develop before us but don't overwhelm. This movie is not for everyone. But it was for me and anyone else who appreciates reminders of our own personal journeys. Loved it...loved it...loved it.