Cement Suitcase

This is one of those movies at you enjoy while watching it, then at the end you say "It wasn't that good!" and you don't know why.

The story revolves around Franklin Rowe who is the top seller at a large winery. He has a winsome personality and a knack for getting customers to view the wines for sale in a party like atmosphere. Unfortunately his job is destroying him and he's at a dead end in his life.

We follow Franklin as he comes to realize his life just won't get better unless he makes the first move to change it. And in doing just that is what Franklin avoids through his job and easy wine drinking.

I don't know what else to say about this film. You will like Franklin and you will want him to escape his life but the 'getting to that point' in the story at times seems slow.

Written and directed by rick castaneda. His films always begin with someone looking for a roommate or an apartment. Dwayne bartholomew is franklin, whose life just sucks right now. His girlfriend is cheating on him, and he's broke. But he is the best salesman in a yakima winery. He gets a goofy roommate jackford, who has no boundaries. While franklin may be too shy and introverted, jackford is too wild and crazy; he does whatever pops into his head. Can these two men learn to live together? Oh, wait, that's the odd couple tv show, from 1970. A dark comedy. It's pretty good! I tried to guess the ending, but couldn't. There were so many ways it could have gone. It's just a look at a couple weeks in the life of franklin. Funny running gags.. the clapper that doesn't work. Jackford keeps pouring soda on the xbox. But claims he has a good reason. Check out castaneda's other work, all sorts, also currently available on free tubi streaming... that one is even better!

This film was truly enjoyable to watch. Great storyline, strong main character (Franklin) and a fun and quirky roommate. I felt a strong authenticity throughout the film with its location and the unfolding of the film's story. The further along I watched, the more I got sucked into the emotions the film provoked. It really had an excellent crescendo all the way to the end. This is a perfect kick back and enjoy (maybe with a glass of wine) indie flick for that chilling out evening.