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Reviews
Pretend We're Kissing (2014)
Awkward. Very Awkward.
Very well deserving of it's "Most Awkward Sex Scene" award from Canadian Film Fest. This film puts the spotlight on people who probably would not get attention in real life, awkward people, so I appreciate that. However, I found myself cringing with each and every moment in each scene. There is definitely truth in that these characters exist in real life (the Loner, the Single Skinny Awkward guy, the Hippie, but putting them all together did not ring any sparks for me. There is also truth in the theme that in romance, you have to learn who and what you like to get the most out of your relationships--something that the main character Benny encounters. All he wants is to be more confident and connect with other people, but he doesn't (until the very very end) and it was cringing and uncomfortable to watch. Only redeeming aspect is Zoe Kravitz, love her spirit and energy.
The Spectacular Now (2013)
Spectacularly Falls Short
In my eyes, this film was very duplicitous. The characters Sutter and Aimee were effortlessly portrayed and. It felt like I was there with them. Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller had a genuine connection. I also appreciated the simplicity of meaningless conversations and, rambling, and awkward interactions because that is true to the coming-of-age reality.
Where it falls to be unrealistic and unrelatable is in the plot. We see so much talking and not enough doing. I'm confused as to the direction of the film. We begin with a brief investigation of Sutter finding himself, then focus in on the romance and family complications, and then shift attention back to Sutter as he reflects on himself and growth in his college essay. What is the spectacular now? We don't see the supposed growth of Sutter until he tells us so in his essay.
Something just didn't feel right about this movie. Just another failed adult conception of teens.
The Road Within (2014)
A Careful Film
Wow! I laughed, cried, throughout this movie. I was amazed to find out that this was a directorial debut for director/writer Gren Wells. If you love falling in love with characters as they head on their journey, this movie is for you! Through the seriousness of the disorders this movie takes on (which, by the way, were beautifully portrayed by Kravitz, Patel and Sheehan) I was able to feel with them, laugh with them, and cry with them. The Tourette's Syndrome, OCD, and Anorexia that they took hold of was captivating. I could tell that a whole lot of thought was put into researching Tourette's by Gren Wells and Robert Sheehan because they gave us just enough of Tourette's. It would have been extremely easy to portray too much of ticks and mannerisms and make him look silly, but fortunately his interpretation was sincere and gave us just enough. I applaud him and the whole cast for the care they took with their characters and their corresponding illnesses. I would call this film 'careful' in the greatest way. It is extraordinary to find a director paired with an outstanding cast that take great care in their art. I loved it!