I was lucky enough to catch this little independent gem at the Big Apple Film Festival in NYC in November and I can really say it was one of the better independently made films I had to pleasure to see both at that festival and all year. The story is about a young man who, coming to New York to attend school, finds himself in financial duress eerily poignant during our own financial times, and is forced to make a decision on where he's going to live while attending school that sets the story in motion. The heart of the film though is the relationships of all the characters, how they affect each other and the journey they go on; specifically our hero Doyle Simms (played with gravitas by Rob Evans) who's forced with contemplating just who he really is and wants to be, under extreme circumstances. Evans' leading performance is counterbalanced beautifully by the enchanting and sweet Molly Ryman, playing a pseudo-love interest and fellow struggling city dweller Allyson. Ryman's girl-next door looks and caring demeanor help anchor some of the hidden pain and stress her character is under, as well as a desperate desire to reach Doyle. Also a standout is Marcel Torres, playing a childhood friend of hero, who's half a welcome comic relief/shot of energy in the film, but also a stoic voice of reason and understanding for the main character and his roots. He handles what could have been a throwaway role with real chops and charisma, elevating and almost stealing every scene he's in, including a quite volatile and informing argument late in the film. The smart, often quite funny and painful film is terrifically written and under control by the up and coming David Spaltro, who apparently based the film on his own personal experiences going to school in New York a few years back and self-financed. Watching Spaltro, clad in black coat and taped up converse sneakers, during a post-screening Q&A at the festival handle the microphone with both a humble and witty humor and vibrant, powerfully charming passion, it was easy to see where the seeds of the character of Doyle came from. I'm eager to see what he's got to follow this up with. I almost did a double-take when I found out this was only his first feature. An extremely talented guy. I'll be on the lookout for this film upon it's release, which according to several sites will be some time this Spring/Summer. It's definitely one I'd recommend everyone to check out. You'll take far more away from it than you'd expect, probably more so even on a second screening.
