By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4.2 cats
Director: Tyler Taormina
Starring: Adam Torres | Audrey Boos | Gabriella Herrera | Haley Bodell
Country: united_states
Year: 2020
Running time: 85
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8529134/reference
Diane says: “If you’ve ever gone from childhood to adulthood, I think you will like this film. It’s Tyler Taormina’s first, and looks at rituals of growing up in a really weird, delightful way. It’s beautifully shot—I particularly liked how the camera repeatedly uses the part to stand in for the whole.
‘Set in an anonymous suburb in an indeterminate time, we meet about 20-30 adolescents who are getting ready for the big event—and some of their parents. The story is funny, surreal, always surprising, and rings true to my experience. A social critique that engendered a good discussion. 4 cats.”
“Playing at the Brattle now (virtual).”
Michael says: “Watching writer/director Tylor Taormina’s feature debut, HAM ON RYE, is nearly as surrealistic an experience as the film itself. There is so much recognizable in this film from anyone who ever grew up (which is everyone) yet it’s all seen through some timeless, off-center lens that there is a feeling of both recognition and disorientation, especially throughout the first 2/3 of the film. High school aged kids gather in groups of 2, 3, 4, 5… and prepare for something. A prom? An assembly? We’re not sure. Some are dressed in traditional prom attire; others less formally, but still with a little attention paid to appearance. Then stay start to converge, some on foot, some by car, strolling through the town, having nonsensical, David Lynchian conversations, or reading postcards from sisters who say nothing, yet in the end, say everything. But even before they gather, there’s a sense of ritual that become all the more palpable as they arrive a Monty’s a local deli, and one by one, place their hand against the window and enter. There they eat, they dance, they participate in even more ritualistic activities before something mystical seems to happen and everything changes… for everyone.
“A beautiful and mysterious look at life and coming-of-age, Taormina gives enough clues to understand the symbolism, without being heavy-handed. Cinematographer Carson Lund, an Emerson alum, does a beautiful job lighting the first half of the film with vibrant, golden-washed hues, before leeching most of the color out to leave us with browns and grays in the denouement. Casting is remarkable, as dozens of kids gather, most with very few lines, but their look, or their manner is so unique, they are all recognizable in a crowd. In our discussion of this film, we decided it didn’t have to be as bleak as some interpreted, but it could just be life, where there are ups and downs.The final scenes seem to convey that for Haley (our self-designated heroine) who some might think is left in a hopeless situation, but we believe our plucky heroine will make the most of things and be okay. 4 cats”
Bob says: “HAM ON RYE may start out seeming like a retread of a John Hughes film, but it doesn’t stay that way.”
Chris says: “I have so many questions, but first and foremost, what was in those deli sandwiches? Also, is this similar to what happens to Mormons? 4.5 cats“