![]() For a small film it has big heart.The indie genre has developed quite a few clichés over the past few decades. It is well written, directed, edited and scored. This is a film that would have been a darling for indie spirit awards if it had a slightly bigger named actor attached. It serves a purpose to give one a sense of complete isolation and yet it feels like a place we all know and find beautiful. The choice of location is almost as stark as one can imagine. He allowed the performers to bring their touches to the characters. Kightlinger executed this script with great restraint. This film does not fall into the overwritten dialogue trap that most indie writer/director films suffer from. They swiftly create a believable dynamic that reveals the craft of this screen writer's ability to handle dialogue. These two have a compelling chemistry from the very first time they share the screen. The film benefits from superb performances from the veteran bit actor Bates Wilder (Joy) and from up and comer Jessica Rotthe (Happy Death Day, La La Land). This little indie film hits every beat in a melodic story. ![]() The next time somebody says, "They don't make movies like that anymore," put on Tater Tot and Patton to prove them wrong. It's everything a film should be, and done on a shoestring budget to boot. ![]() We know these things because we feel these things from the moment we wake up to the time we fall asleep. With so much focus on A list actors and blockbuster shenanigans, it's nice to see a simple film grounded in the emotions we experience every day. Even Forest Weber gives his all in his supporting role of Richie the ranch hand turned love interest. Rothe plays an annoying millennial teenage girl just enough that you don't turn against her right away, instead winning you over with an understanding of why she is the way she is. A man of few words, Erwin speaks through his actions and expressions and Wilder consistently nails it without a single misstep. The performances are completely stunning as well. He also plays with focus effectively, adding a touch of dreaming psychedelia to his vision. His realistic visual style beautifully blends the composition of early Steven Spielberg with George Romero's quick-edit cover-your-ass style of filmmaking. Director Andrew Kightlinger somehow delivers heart without being corny, a feat revealing the true depth of his talent. It may sound like just another odd couple scenario, but there's so much more going on here. Of course, this leads to personality conflicts with hilarious results, though even more interesting is their journey from coming to a mutual understanding to being best friends that reveal their darkest secrets and help each other work through them. She's there on an ultimatum from her mother, rehab or the ranch. Andie (Jessica Rothe) is the quintessential popular millennial girl - entitled, dependent on technology, raging with attitude. He wakes up, pees, drinks a raw egg and beer, does some work, drinks more beer, does more work, drinks even more beer and passes out only to relive it all the next day, that is, until his teenage niece from Los Angeles comes to stay with him. Erwin (Bates Wilder) lives on a South Dakota ranch. It resonates so much that you can't stop thinking about it and feeling the range of emotions it conjured. You laugh, you cry, you become completely engaged in the story to the point that it feels like you just sat down when it ends. Every so often a film so perfect arrives that you can't help but wonder what magic brought it all together.
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