On the technical side, I liked and noticed various lighting and camera choices, in particular, several montages of very close and interestingly cropped close ups. Understated underscoring is a big plus for me. Excellent production values over all, and great acting, although, sometimes choices didn't work for me. Rip didn't get emotional enough for me when first told about a major choice Wendy made while he was in jail. I wanted an inner explosion, conflict, disbelief, something. I was left wanting. Even though his behavior is explained later, I didn't buy anyone could be as calm as he was with no inner struggle to keep himself in check.
The film's storyline addresses a heartbreaking scenario and asks us to consider where the better good is served, when legalities undermine what might be the better course of action. Under that is a wealth of sub-themes and subtle commentary on the various relationships. Juxtapose that with the uber-rich versus blue-collar, young, starting-out family and there's more fodder for thought. It's an often used spine to the story, as are Rip's problems, and both lend toward the predictability of the characters' choices. In this world, these people, their problems, and their reactions scream honest and true. Halfway through the film, it hit me that I was missing something that I think I would feel were I Rip. The "I found God in prison", another often used theme, wasn't enough for me to lose the sense that Rip should have had some feelings toward Wendy that might never go away, yet he doesn't seem to have them at all. I wasn't totally buying that. Then, I felt a gap with the shower phobia. Rich dad has a big boat, Joey's been on the ocean and plays in the waves on the beach. The phobia didn't make sense to me. It's just there. I understand why it's there, but I think the shower scenario was too unique and not tied into anything we knew about Joey. Another juxtaposition that works really well are the tender moments and the violent ones. Being a quiet film, I liked the filming and editing choices made for the aggressive scenes. They carry the weight necessary, without breaching the tonal mood of the film. The strength of this film is the believability of the characters and the honesty of each of the plot lines, showing both the good and bad sides. Conflicts in relationships, strengths and weaknesses, unveil as the film unwinds. It is richly layered, giving all these quality actors screen time. Beliefs are tested in the theme of having to let go, from both the religious and legal perspectives. To me, the ending was a given from the beginning, so it was the journey that had to hold my attention. It did. Layer by layer, peeling away the unnecessary to get to the heart and core of what truly has meaning.
The film's storyline addresses a heartbreaking scenario and asks us to consider where the better good is served, when legalities undermine what might be the better course of action. Under that is a wealth of sub-themes and subtle commentary on the various relationships. Juxtapose that with the uber-rich versus blue-collar, young, starting-out family and there's more fodder for thought. It's an often used spine to the story, as are Rip's problems, and both lend toward the predictability of the characters' choices. In this world, these people, their problems, and their reactions scream honest and true. Halfway through the film, it hit me that I was missing something that I think I would feel were I Rip. The "I found God in prison", another often used theme, wasn't enough for me to lose the sense that Rip should have had some feelings toward Wendy that might never go away, yet he doesn't seem to have them at all. I wasn't totally buying that. Then, I felt a gap with the shower phobia. Rich dad has a big boat, Joey's been on the ocean and plays in the waves on the beach. The phobia didn't make sense to me. It's just there. I understand why it's there, but I think the shower scenario was too unique and not tied into anything we knew about Joey. Another juxtaposition that works really well are the tender moments and the violent ones. Being a quiet film, I liked the filming and editing choices made for the aggressive scenes. They carry the weight necessary, without breaching the tonal mood of the film. The strength of this film is the believability of the characters and the honesty of each of the plot lines, showing both the good and bad sides. Conflicts in relationships, strengths and weaknesses, unveil as the film unwinds. It is richly layered, giving all these quality actors screen time. Beliefs are tested in the theme of having to let go, from both the religious and legal perspectives. To me, the ending was a given from the beginning, so it was the journey that had to hold my attention. It did. Layer by layer, peeling away the unnecessary to get to the heart and core of what truly has meaning.