Just saw this for the second time at the Wildwood festival and it was even better than I remembered. There are so many stand-out moments, it's hard to narrow down just a few. One I hadn't noticed last time is when Karina sits down and talks with Chris after her dance. I swear she was popping out of the screen! Something about her presence in that scene really shakes you up (appropriately, since Chris comes to an important realization at this point in the film). These actors are all top-notch. You find yourself endeared to each and every one of them, despite (or rather because of) their flaws.
The dialog is truly something to be admired and the script has such good rhythm: all throughout the film you have a poignant moment undercut by something absurd or hilarious. It really gives the storyline a forceful forward movement and highlights all the ups and downs of small-town life.
As mentioned in the other comments, the story is completely engrossing; it pulls you in because you can relate to the situations these characters find themselves in right off the bat. I'm really impressed at how the director and the actors alike are able to make everyday life so vibrant. When you're actually living it, it can be such a drag, but when you watch it play out in front of you, you have to laugh. And it's not always a joyful laughter; sometimes it's uncomfortable. It's unnerving how much sense everything makes when you're watching it happen on a screen rather than experiencing it first-hand!
This film has style! Can't wait to see more...
The dialog is truly something to be admired and the script has such good rhythm: all throughout the film you have a poignant moment undercut by something absurd or hilarious. It really gives the storyline a forceful forward movement and highlights all the ups and downs of small-town life.
As mentioned in the other comments, the story is completely engrossing; it pulls you in because you can relate to the situations these characters find themselves in right off the bat. I'm really impressed at how the director and the actors alike are able to make everyday life so vibrant. When you're actually living it, it can be such a drag, but when you watch it play out in front of you, you have to laugh. And it's not always a joyful laughter; sometimes it's uncomfortable. It's unnerving how much sense everything makes when you're watching it happen on a screen rather than experiencing it first-hand!
This film has style! Can't wait to see more...