By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Chad Hartigan
Starring: Demetrius Grosse | Kristin Slaysman | Paul Eenhoorn | Richmond Arquette | Tom Plunkett
Country: united_states
Year: 2013
Running time: 83
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798291/combined
Chris says: “Deceptively simple and effortlessly graceful, this character study is the type of American indie you wish would receive the release and promotional heft of something like THE WAY WAY BACK. Martin Bonner, a divorced, sixty-ish man of Australian decent (a charming Paul Eeehorn) has just relocated from Maryland to Reno, Nevada. Employed as a mentor for a prison work release program, he develops an unexpected friendship with Travis (Richmond Arquette), who is adjusting to life outside after serving a 12-year sentence. Martin and Travis are more alike than they initially appear (both live alone, are estranged from their children and seek redemption for past crises), but the beauty in Chad Hartigan’s script and direction is that he doesn’t hit you over the head with this notion. Often, moments of silence and reflection carry the narrative along, such as a 360-degree tracking shot where Travis takes in his surroundings, ruminating on what his life has come to. Hartigan never wallows in cheap sentiment or easy, unearned resolution, but you end up caring deeply for these two flawed but relatable men; their bond is also an all-too-rare depiction of male friendship onscreen. 5 cats”