Princess of the Row

Greetings again from the darkness. Writer-director Van Maximilian Carlson and co-writer A. Shawn Austin touch on a wide variety of controversial topics in this one: PTSD, Veterans' Affairs, homelessness, foster care, social workers, and mental illness. At the heart of their story is the touching and strong bond between a father and daughter, even when life's obstacles become too much to overcome.

Tayler Buck delivers a career-changing performance as Alicia Willis (ANNABELLE: CREATION, 2017), the adolescent daughter of Sgt Beaumont "Bo" Willis (Edi Gathegi, "The Blacklist"), an Iraqi War veteran whose PTSD is linked to a brain injury sustained while deployed. Bo is mostly non-verbal and often disconnected, and living a tough life with the homeless on Skid Row. Alicia is devoted to her father, and worships him as the man who told her bedtime stories when she was young. Those memories not only inspire her to take care of him now, but also to write her own award winning short stories, and to view her life as a sort of Fairy Tale (rather than a tragedy).

We learn that Alicia has already been in three foster homes, including one with her mean-spirited aunt (Tabitha Brown), who likely took her in only for the money. Social Worker Magdalene (Ana Ortiz, "Ugly Betty") shows true compassion for Alicia, and understands the love she has for her father. Of course Magdalene is also pragmatic and does her best to find a stable environment for Alicia. That's where writer John Austin (Martin Sheen) comes in. He and his wife agree to take in Alicia, despite this putting her a 10 hour drive from Bo. But distance can't hold her back.

Following Alicia around is exhausting, yet fascinating. Director Carlson and cinematographer Maz Makhani do a terrific job of capturing her various adventures - each with the purpose of being with her father. Alicia understands, and we see evidence, of Bo's unpredictability and propensity for violent outbursts. Oh, but in those few fleeting moments when the father she remembers reappears, it's emotional and heart-warming. Alicia has a wonderful line that will surely touch viewers. She says, "I love it when you come back to me." And so do we ... the world seems right, even if it's only a blink.

This performance should elevate Tayler Buck amongst young actors, and we will likely be seeing her quite often over the next few years. And as strong as she is here, we shouldn't overlook the work of Edi Gathegi and Ana Ortiz, or even Martin Sheen (now 80 years old), who always seems a natural for movies with a message. Jessica Childress sings a beautiful song, "Walk with Me", that is the exact fit for this film that puts love and hope amidst misery and hopelessness.

This film has the power to renew our faith in humanity. So much decency is portrayed in these characters. Both lead performances are powerhouse jobs, and the supporting characters are the equally moving. A wonderful film. Totally believable. Great job to the entire crew.

With a dad that suffers great mental illness as a vet, this little girl goes down a path of trying to save him but ultimately having to save herself. A straight on view of homeless and the struggle.

This movie was incredible and very moving. Edi Gathegi completely sells his role as a man who was severely brain damaged in combat. He acts almost like a zombie, and its sad because you know there really are people out there who are like that, which cannot function enough to sustain a normal life. He is always drifting in and out of reality.

The story is just so touching. His daughter wants to see him get better and be well enough to hold some type of job and provide himself with a better life. By the end, she realizes that its really out of her control and no amount of love from her or anyone is going to fix his brain. Its very bittersweet. Definitely watch it!

The only reason I gave this a 7 and not higher is forsaking the realism of the foster care system and time and care truly able to be given, as well as unreality of foster homes (Aunt Tammy should've been white, too). The system is already a mess and if the government has its way, many more if births are forced. I get it, it's for the sake of storytelling timeline, I just prefer realism on this true, urgent crisis in our Country.

Okay, all that aside, was not prepared for the very end scene. The last I knew, my son was living in San Diego homeless areas. It's turned into years and he's been a total deadbeat/absent dad to a now 15 yo daughter. A life I never saw coming. Mental health and drugs have stolen my beautiful boy, but we must always hope for each other and try do better for ourselves until our last breath....right?

The end scene....raw emotion body chills.