"Life and Nothing More" is one of the most authentic and raw films I have ever watched. You feel as if you are watching a real-life event happen right in front of you. The set design and lighting of the film created a mood that fit very well within the story line. It expressed a low-income, struggling family. In addition, the acting in this film was remarkable. Andrew Bleechington couldn't have played the role better. His face throughout the movie showed lots of emotion and dramatic feelings. Regina Williams's acting represented the hardship of being a single-parent. She played the role so organically; it felt so real. Overall, excellent, original, and emotional film.
19 Reviews
SOCIALREALISM.
ops-5253521 June 2019
Its a tough job to grow up, anyhow or anywhere in the world, in this scenario its a young black man, his little sister, and struggling mother, that works the skin of her hands to make everything work.
its a tough story from the black community of the united states, and really a teaser for everybody with a hang to sociology and psychology. its a film about living in a quagmire, and wherever you step its just a swamping quagmire, and if you try to flee you can be sure that you are on somebodys private property.
it feels like a direct one take strategy in this film, therefore the acts made are great and the dialouges are well delivered. its a film with not much, but could make you feel all kinda things afterwards. technical product are at average with a minus on the sound work, far too much background noise, even wher you could expect silence.
its a film for everybody, and most of all,its not a comedy. its playtime are too long considering the tema, but a good watch if youre interested in the issue. a recommend from the grumpy old man
its a tough story from the black community of the united states, and really a teaser for everybody with a hang to sociology and psychology. its a film about living in a quagmire, and wherever you step its just a swamping quagmire, and if you try to flee you can be sure that you are on somebodys private property.
it feels like a direct one take strategy in this film, therefore the acts made are great and the dialouges are well delivered. its a film with not much, but could make you feel all kinda things afterwards. technical product are at average with a minus on the sound work, far too much background noise, even wher you could expect silence.
its a film for everybody, and most of all,its not a comedy. its playtime are too long considering the tema, but a good watch if youre interested in the issue. a recommend from the grumpy old man
Exquisite movie, real sharp focus on reality and great visceral film making!
consultantcy16 August 2018
I've seen this movie twice and got more out of it the second time around. Although some people might shy away from the topic, there is more to meet the eye, literally, than just the obvious. There are excellent performances by a number of talented actors but the story line and arc of the heroes is what gives the effort dynamic life. Anyone who has ever been a teenager knows that things could have gone off the rails a number of times. This circular, rising tension gives the plot life. There is "Life, and Nothing More" as a model for a window into a world you might not be that familiar with. This movie was several years ahead of the issue of "spacial profiling". There is a lot to be proud of in giving witness to a depiction of the human struggle. Many of the members of the audience were stunned by how honest this movie was. There were SEVERAL audience reactions of shock and understanding which validated the craft of its creation. I know a number of them talked about for days afterwards. How many movies does that happen with, nowadays? If it is playing in your area go see it, you won't regret it. This is an HONEST, dedicated, small film American effort; we'll be hearing more from the Director, I'm sure!
Completely Immersing and Emotional
jordanthom27 February 2019
Life And Nothing More is a beautiful and intimate piece of work, much like Moonlight or Boyhood. Unlike a lot of movies we see today, it is entirely focused on its characters and how they operate in the unfair system around them. Regina is a single mother who has a complicated relationship with her son, and their dynamic is raw and heartbreaking. It is obvious that Regina cares deeply for her son but she is unable to help him in his run-ins with the law and own emotional struggle. It is striking to me that the camera almost acts as a character just observing what is happening. There is no crazy editing or direction style and it's like we are in the moment with these characters, feeling what they are feeling. It is a must see if you like deeply moving portrayals of honest real life people.
Theatrical Cinema at its Best
BrendenElliot11 February 2019
While Antonio Mendez Esparza's most ambitious feature may be a cinematic masterpiece, it could easily pass as a work of live theater. The majority of directors use an abundance of close-ups to force audiences to see their vision; Esparza, on the other hand, often fills the screen with as much of the scene's surroundings as possible. This fly-on-the-wall technique in turn liberates viewers to choose what they want to see on-screen based on their personal intrigue. Carefully crafted performances by both the focal and ensemble cast also allows viewers to interpret the conflicts of each scene, as opposed to the employment of dialogue to reveal this information. Newcomers Andrew Bleechington and Regina Williams are both brilliantly nuanced in their facial expressions and intonations, making their internal struggles implicit. As for the film's extras, Esparza seemingly put his actors in the middle of some chaotic scene and starts rolling. Life and Nothing More could very well be a game-changer for the way that we watch films, paving the way for a much more free-flowing viewing experience. I highly advise cinephiles to be at the forefront of this movement by watching this movie through that lens.
Some of the most authentic performances given about REAL LIFE
gabycuevas-5716514 February 2019
Life and Nothing More is a quiet, calculated and purposeful look into the hidden layers of reality in modern America. The concepts of race, class, education and family intersect to paint a vivid picture of how these factors often function more as obstacles than anything else for the film's characters. The cast's breakout performances are anything but amateur, as their nuanced portrayals of a struggling African-American family emote a newfound level of both frustration and perseverance as they attempt to not fall into society's stereotypical expectations of them. While other films may employ extravagant tactics, the true beauty in Life and Nothing More can be found in its minimalistic nature, allowing viewers to intently follow the narrative and gain a true understanding of life, and nothing more than that.
STRONG female lead!
rebeccacastellano-4344814 February 2019
I love a strong female lead, so Regina William's incredible performance as a single African American mother was definitely my favorite part of this film. Her acting was emotionally raw and had me extremely invested in her character by the end. Prior to watching, I had read that Variety named LIFE AND NOTHING MORE in their top ten movies of the year for its authentic depiction of family drama, but I'd never heard of Regina Williams. From now on, I'll definitely be on the lookout for her name in movies.
Raw and necessary drama film about racial and class oppression
rachelrkanter27 February 2019
Cinematically this movie is incredible, but that's not what drew me in, it was the acting and the actors themselves that did. Director Antonio Mendez Esparza took an unusual route in the casting process, and decided to use local non actors and actresses, and in my opinion, this is what made the movie the level of intensity and magnitude that it truly is. By picking locals to play the roles it gave them an advantage into being able to illustrate the characters more accurately because instead of acting for them, it was more of a portrayal of their life, which in return makes the film feel more like a documentary in the sense that you are watching the characters' life unfold, and how they're moving through the changes that life can throw at you. For anyone who thinks that life stops when something goes wrong, I highly recommend watching this film so you see that it can always go up, and there can be a happy ending.
Wonderful views on social justice
zheaneytorchlight6 March 2019
Antonio Mendez Esparza's world in Life and Nothing More is so genuine and so real it was hard to believe these characters and their experiences weren't based on a true story. This film focuses one the struggles of a single mother and her troubled son. Called a Top Ten film of the year by Variety and the winner of the best film of the year made under $500,000 at the Independent Spirit Awards, Esparza knew exactly how to approach a film of this social impact . This cast of first time film actors are so honest in the emotions they express and the way they approach their conflicts that it's impossible to not fully engage with their issues. Exploring some of modern societies most troubling social issues such as injustice and racism, as well as the endless struggles of working class Americans, making this a film almost any moviegoer can appreciate.
Great Film!
ecsd-418395 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Life and Nothing More is a full-bodied, raw look at a northern Florida family, that dives headfirst into the subjects of family, race and the working class in America. It is an authentic depiction of life's hardships told through the eyes of a single mother who struggles to raise her oldest teenage son and youngest daughter while having to work a waitress job at a local diner. Many bigger topics are presented such as racial profiling, the 2016 election, and the challenges of being a single mother while working for minimum wage. These are problems that persistently get brought up in the film, but are seen in the background as the main goal of the movie is to present the lives of the characters as they are lived moment to moment. These moments were filled with nuanced performances from the cast that explore the relationships between the characters. The talented actors in this film gave excellent performances but the story line and arc of the heroes is what gives the film life. Director, Antonio Mendez Esparza has created a nuanced, authentic, and emotionally intense piece of work that is truly inspiring.
Some of the BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY I have ever seen
rebeccalprice-124127 March 2019
Life and Nothing More has wonderful cinematography work. The film follows Regina, a single mom struggling to make ends meet, and her 14-year-old son, Andrew, who has trouble with the law. With a simple subject: everyday life for this small family living below the poverty line in Northern Florida, the cinematography matches this extremely well. With simple cinematography, it highlights the hardships this sweet family goes through and the effect they are taking on everyone. The focal point of the cinematography is the actors as this film contains a lot of close-ups, and single angle shots. The camera angle in the scene where Regina kicks her boyfriend, Robert, out of her house for fighting with her son, Andrew, is a fantastic angle because it makes you feel like you are actually there, standing in her kitchen, eavesdropping on the whole conversation. This cinematography work really includes the audience and makes them feel like they are actually in the movie, standing right beside or behind Regina throughout.
A Beautiful, Must-See Film
madiimcc5 March 2019
I could not recommend Life and Nothing More enough. It's the story of an African-American family living in northern Florida, with a father in prison and a mother trying to keep her son out of the system. Antonio Méndez Esparza created an utter masterpiece with this film and it's incredible, newly-discovered cast (Regina Williams, Andrew Bleechington, and Robert Williams) brought it to life with incredible, heart wrenching performances that make you want to yell at the screen and a story that will draw you in immediately. They make the film feel real, as though you're stepping into their regular lives and struggles. Regina gave an absolutely incredible performance that gave me goosebumps, portraying a hard-working mother perfectly, having the audience share in her frustrations and struggles. It's a beautiful film to watch, with a relevant story and a powerful message that many can relate to. Overall, Life and Nothing More has everything you could possibly be looking for in a drama, and more, and I highly recommend giving it a watch.
Unbelievable film!
zieglerstephen4 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There is something really powerful about director Antonio Mendez Esparza's latest piece "Life and Nothing More". The film really stands alone as an authentic story of life's hardships told through a single mother's journey of raising her oldest teenage son and youngest daughter while having to work a waitress job at a local diner. Each scene emerges as a new and different day, and this juxtaposition is incredibly effective when observing a family where truly each new day you have something to prove. Throughout the film we observe the mother (Regina) looking to pass along crucial advice to teenage son (Andrew) to help and avoid him falling into the same path as his father who is carrying out a lengthy prison sentence. The absence of the father is a reminder to many Americans that to many in the U.S. population this is a true testament of life and family, where a young boy becoming a man struggles naturally without a father character present. Esparza again is showing audience members that we are all inherently different, but through this incredibly potent storytelling there is a universal truth of doing the best you can with what you have right in front of you.
A Moving Drama with Realistic Cinematography
elissaanncaplan8 March 2019
Life and Nothing More was an immaculate production with realistic and captivating cinematography. Director Antonio Mendez Esparza does a wonderful job is painting a not so pretty picture of a North Florida family and the struggles they face every day. The story line consists of a single mother Regina who works long, difficult hours at a local restaurant to provide for her two children. Regina isn't always home and begins to find her teenage son Andrew getting into minor troubles with the law. To keep Andrew on the right path Regina uses her tough love and hopes he will learn from his mistakes. The character's imperfections and raw dialogue made for extremely realistic interactions and chemistries that helped successfully execute this powerful story. Life and Nothing More is a moving drama that I highly recommend seeing for yourself!
Very moving and authentic film!
sarahdrewry7 March 2019
How do I begin to describe how moved I was by this film? "Life and Nothing More" to the core is about how every decision made affects those you love the most, highlighting the importance of family and love in desperate times. The film follows a single mother as she navigates her life while striving to provide for her family and keep her teenage son out of prison. I truly loved the profound look into the life of poor families in southern America as they struggle against poverty and racism that's still deeply rooted in the culture to this day. Director Antonio Mendez Esparza dives into the issue as it is currently, giving the audience a genuine, no frills representation that could easily have been a true story. He uses a shaky camera as a major component of the authenticity that made me feel as if I was a part of the drama unfolding on the screen. Another thing I was impressed with was the acting, especially given that the actors were completely fresh, having never been in a film before. Regina Williams, who played the mother Regina, was even nominated for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards. Each character was breathtaking and delivered performances that drew me in. I could not recommend this movie more!
natural and encapsulating
nicolevaughn-107858 March 2019
Incredibly depicting the adversities that some black Americans must bear, Life and Nothing More creates a genuine and realistic story that aids in exposing these everyday struggles. Through the story of single mother Regina (Regina Williams) and her son Andrew (Andrew Bleechington), the seemingly natural footage authentically highlights their financial and social hardships, while also bringing an encapsulating narrative. This film gave me the opportunity to view and understand an unfamiliar perspective of life for people in my surrounding community. I highly recommend this film because it shows a relevant representation of life itself, while also grasping my attention.
I wrote a pretty wordy review because i loved this movie so much but the bottom line is: its fantastic and a must see.
maxbryantx7 March 2019
Life and Nothing More is a gorgeous look inside the life of a struggling family that is only increasingly harbored due to their miscommunication and lack of understanding of one another. Which may sound like a bleak or heavy synopsis but played out as a beautiful and accurate portrayal of very real struggles experienced by very real people. The film does a fantastic job at capturing the often-difficult relationships that can form between a teenager and a single mother, and the miscommunication/misunderstanding of those relationships. Andrew, the son played by Andrew Bleechington, not only faces misunderstanding with his mother but with almost every other character he encounters in the movie from the therapist and councilor, to his mother's new boyfriend. Regina, the mother portrayed by Regina Williams, has to work every available moment just to keep her family afloat, while also raising and caring for that family all on her own and making sure that her son does not end up like his father, who is serving time in prison. The mother and son are so obviously trying their hardest to do right by themselves, and everyone else around them, but struggle desperately to understand one another. This struggle, along with the overall struggle involving the unfortunate situation that life has placed them in, is the driving force of this wonderfully beautiful slice of life drama. The acting and story were so incredible to watch that often I felt as if I were watching a documentary and not a drama, something that greatly enhanced my experience and caused me to get "sucked in" by the film. It all felt so real, from the delicate and fleeting high point of the film, to the heartbreaking lows. It's one of those rare films where you get attached to the characters but not for any superficial reasons like, "that actress is cute," or "they're so funny," but because it felt as if the characters showed all of themselves to you and you established a connection through their pain. Cinematography was also a huge take away from the film, I can actually remember four specific shots that left me quite literally with my mouth gaping at the screen. As well as two more shots that, along with what was happening in the story at those points, made me announce out loud, "wow this is so good." However, I'm so sure that those shots will have a similar effect on you when you watch it, that I'm declining to provide any description of them (i know my words would not do them justice). I loved this movie, and i unfortunately was not able to talk about every detail that made me love it, but hopefully the ones i did highlight were enough to make you want to watch it too.
Yeah, this film is really about Life & Nothing More
MovieIQTest7 April 2018
What we saw in this film is about a young black teenager struggled to deal with the daily nothingness and hopelessness without any possible way to get out of it. His lacking of a father figure to guide or pull him through the growing pain stage is just a wishful thinking. His mother, a rustic, loud-mouth, sexual thirsty low level woman with big hips is a very typical woman and mother who got nothing, no man in her life to support her and her family. The boy got a very little sister still needs day care, it only means the man of the house just took off before the little girl was born. There's really nothing to tell about the whole film about anything, just a dreary hopeless life and low living standard of an average scene of nowadays America, not just specifically what the black people or their families got to deal with, most of the whites also like the blacks facing the same and inescapable situations day by day. They are not even what we called "Middle Income Families", I'm very curious about how these people pay their utilities bills, property taxes. Of course, based upon what we saw in this film, they obviously don't have to pay any income tax since they are definitely low income people. The whole film is very depressed to watch. We don't smell any MONEY in it. Guess if we could see some beautiful and rich black people and what the could afford like we see daily in the TV commercials, these God-awful situations about this boy and his family won't even exist. It's the poverty that has affected almost anything in Life & Nothing More. You don't need to make a film so repeatedly reiterating it. Although money couldn't buy anything, but at least let's have some first.
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