Beautifully and powerfully acted by young Michael McDowell -- the lad holds up the film with the camera being on him in nearly every scene. Director Clay Riley Hassler is able to portray the isolation and hopelessness of the homeless as embodied in this single character. What makes it all the more poignant is that this is such a young man, poised on the brink of manhood who should be filled with optimism and joy facing his future in the world, but here he face only abject despair.
Where Hassler falters is that he is unrelenting and gives us not even a moment to breath. There is not a glimmer of hope for this young man. THe director keeps us hoping that the kid will get a break....I heard myself saying out loud, "Somebody hug this boy!" I guarantee, when credits roll, you will be screaming at the screen in both pain and anger.
If you were in a super positive, pollyanna mood before you sat down and hit the play button, you might get thru it unscathed. ON the other hand, If you were feeling anything less than the up-swing of your bi-polar euphoria, you may wind up cutting your wrists before the last reel. I won't say skip it, but but be prepared -- and remember, you've been duly warned.
Oh yah, the music, such as it is, is a minimalist drone of a repetitive three piano cords with some moody electronic loops going on under it. Actually, quite effective to enhance to utter despair on the screen, but it is so repetitive that very quickly those three cords become much too obvious and obtrusive to the point of distraction. Effective for 5 or 6 minutes...a dirge after a half hour of it.
Now can someone please hand me my Prozac.
Where Hassler falters is that he is unrelenting and gives us not even a moment to breath. There is not a glimmer of hope for this young man. THe director keeps us hoping that the kid will get a break....I heard myself saying out loud, "Somebody hug this boy!" I guarantee, when credits roll, you will be screaming at the screen in both pain and anger.
If you were in a super positive, pollyanna mood before you sat down and hit the play button, you might get thru it unscathed. ON the other hand, If you were feeling anything less than the up-swing of your bi-polar euphoria, you may wind up cutting your wrists before the last reel. I won't say skip it, but but be prepared -- and remember, you've been duly warned.
Oh yah, the music, such as it is, is a minimalist drone of a repetitive three piano cords with some moody electronic loops going on under it. Actually, quite effective to enhance to utter despair on the screen, but it is so repetitive that very quickly those three cords become much too obvious and obtrusive to the point of distraction. Effective for 5 or 6 minutes...a dirge after a half hour of it.
Now can someone please hand me my Prozac.
