Anchorage

Two brothers in pain. Beautifully written, shot, and edited. Haunting locations. Great acting. Perfect soundtrack. Story of a road trip unlike any other family road trip you've ever seen. You hurt for these characters, as damaged as they are.

"Anchorage" is a micro-budgeted masterpiece, a gritty and haunting exploration of the decaying American dream. The movie follows brothers Jacob and John on a drug-fueled journey from Florida to Alaska, the film's thematic nods to classic road movies are evident and expertly infused.

Despite the brother's questionable scheme to sell opioid-stuffed teddy bears, the brothers' dynamic and the desolate landscapes they traverse keep viewers riveted. Director Scott Monahan's tight five-day shoot and Erin Naifeh's cinematography create a surreal atmosphere, emphasizing the bleakness of abandoned locations. Accompanied by a haunting score from Savannah Wheeler, the film delves into the opioid epidemic with chilling realism.

In Monahan's directorial approach, the repetitiveness evident throughout "Anchorage" mirrors the cyclic nature of addiction, reminiscent of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot." This thematic repetition serves as a poignant reflection of the characters' perpetual struggle, trapped in a relentless cycle with no clear resolution in sight.

"Anchorage" is a compelling existential road trip, challenging viewers to confront the harsh realities of contemporary society.

I feel obligated to leave a review. This is likely one of the worst movies I've watched in my nearly 50 years on planet earth. It was trying so hard to be edgy, use creative cinematic filming, and tell a unique story. What it ended up was a messy, frustrating, and boring film.

I feel like the other reviews have to be people on payroll. The movie's attempt at edginess felt forced, and the creative cinematography, while interesting in parts, couldn't salvage the overall plot. Characters lacked depth, making it hard to invest emotionally. The pacing left much to be desired, dragging on without purpose.

It's a shame because the concept had potential, but execution fell flat. The disjointed storytelling left me confused rather than engaged, and I found myself checking the time throughout. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone, and I'm baffled by the positive reviews it's received.

Sometimes, the most memorable cinematic experiences are the ones that leave us feeling uneasy, yet utterly captivated. "Wow, that was uncomfortable, in the best way possible," is the sentiment that perfectly encapsulates my reaction to this extraordinary indie film. From the very first scene to the closing credits, the performances were nothing short of stellar, weaving a narrative that had me completely engrossed. The power of this film lies in its ability to make you feel like an active participant rather than a passive observer. To put it simply, this film was absolutely phenomenal.

A true indie gem.

I'll keep this review short & sweet... much like Anchorage.

Grabs your attention from the first frame until the last. A film greater than the sum of its parts. A seemingly simple premise that says a lot about our society... without having to spell it out for the viewer.

Anchorage shows you what's possible with a solid idea and a limited budget.

Monahan and Loesch have incredible chemistry. They go together like lamb and tuna fish... or Jordan & Pippin if you prefer.

Runtime is great, so one more excuse to check it out (if you needed that extra push)

I'm excited to see what the filmmakers do next, whether it's another joint venture, solo... or one of each?