The Dust Storm

... from an IMDb reviewer with 1200+ reviews under his belt who didn't join the IMDb yesterday just to leave behind one single, glowing review about a film he either worked on or, possibly, wanted to work on.

So I volunteered.

In the classic "credo" of the Indie, writer/director Ryan Lacen has created a nice and friendly little romantic tale about two ex-lovers who have a chance encounter (long after their breakup) in Nashville, and then spend the rest of the film exploring both their old and their potentially new relationship against the backdrop of that famous city.

If you are a film buff, you could think of it as TWO FOR THE ROAD (1967) lite. In fact, very lite.

On the plus side, this is a cute semi-sweet romp against an energetic backdrop with the occasional (very occasional) musical interlude. Of the two stars, who together take up some 99.9% of the screen time, Colin O'Donoghue seems a little awkward and uncomfortable from time to time, whereas Kristen Gutoskie -- blessed with a rubber face like an early Jim Carrey -- shines and gives every indication there could be a major star in there waiting to break out.

The editing is also clever, and is used effectively to portray how people actually "think" about their own past and present, so props for that.

On the negative side, this project can never overcome the fact that it is an Indie done on a shoestring. You either get involved with the characters ... or you don't. No in-between.

On a long flight between A and B it would indeed keep your interest. And that is the best thing I can say.

An Oscar, on the other hand (as another reviewer suggested) is highly unlikely.