I'M OKAY, WE'RE OKAY
On a road trip with her unfaithful boyfriend, Ellie discovers she has DID (once called multiple personality disorder) and that her fractured identities are offering them clues about her mysterious past.
Director Adrienne Acevedo Lovette
Writers Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, John A. Rice
Stars Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, John A. Rice, Ella Jane New and Joseph Castillo-Midyett
Genre: Drama, Mystery
WHAT THIS FILM DOES WELL: What I really appreciate about this film is it didn't need nor does it use storytelling razzle dazzle or try to be smarter than the audience and come up with all these convoluted ways to try to trick and fool you. Something that often, too often, comes with this genre. This film builds its framework around a POV that takes us on their journey toward self discovery in Ellie (played by Adrienne Acevedo Lovette) and an unrelable narrator in Rand (played by John A Rice) whose selfishness and often near sightedness actually builds an arc for a somewhat redeemable aspect to a character that most may not think has it in him. It's within the POV of Ellie though that we are naturally watching a very layered and complicated story and life play out and because of that and being there for it, it's filmmaker and the 2 writers of this film, who coincidentally are the two lead actors I am speaking of up above, make incredibly well timed and well thought choices that not just move the story along but beat by beat bring you closer to the truth and the people experiencing it. That is pure talent on display in so many aspects.
First it has to be said that Adrienne's ability to not just switch characters within a breath (and a little movie magic) of completely different energies, while exploring her own truths and dealing with this man she loves, who is simultaneously leading while being lead himself, is some of the best work I have seen in a long time. Adrienne's control, her balancing not just facial expressions but full on body mannerisms is acting on the highest level. There is one moment that I expressed to her and John when talking to them in an interview I did with the both of them (see further on down this review), that I won't spoil here, that I felt like was a chef's kiss for one of the personalities.
I also have to give to John because his choices helped feed Adrienne's performance without a doubt and the way he handled being Rand was such an interesting vinegar to the contrast of exploring the many facets of Ellie and her others. Him recoginizing the energies and approaching them each so differently, made me think and feel a lot of things and I don't think you could have asked for a better way to play the foil and companion here, often simultaneously.
The writing here is equal to the task, it flowed naturally, it gave us the beats we needed, and it showed us what we needed Ellie to see and feel, so that in turn we are seeing and feeling that super effectively. Along with the words, the choices as a director Adrienne makes are very nicely managed and I love the movement and framing she gives us at times to keep the engagement toward action but I also love the nice solid framed moments here as well. There's something about putting your actors in a frame, letting them reveal and move the character through disposition and reaction. This film really generates a ton of that momentum with these shots wherein when we get to the 3rd act it's frantically cresecendos like it should. Director of Photography Alejandro Salinas Albrecht deserves heaps of praise for this work as well, I love how much he uses the natural elements to enhance the overall look and give us this feeling of being in the now. Then with the filters and production design used for the flashbacks and especially the being in Ellie's head moments, they become much more pronounced and effective while still staying within the flow of the story and not taking us out of it ever.
There's also a couple really great edits in this film as well by Adrienne. I am thinking especially of one where Ellie locks herself in the bathroom after experiencing something traumatic and we are introduced to her mind with a nice couple of flashes of what's to come. The end transitions also are well done in this film.
All of this really leads into what I feel like is the strongest 3rd act of any movie I have seen this year. Everything comes together brilliantly, we get incredible character arcs and some amazing subtext that becomes amazing surface text. Along those lines I have to give a shoutout to Ella Jane New who has a small role but I think without it would have for this viewer at least, been tougher to manage how I feel about this film. Ironically her role being the psychiarist friend. Her dialogue in the 2nd act was like as if I was talking to Ellie, saying all the things I was feeling and thinking at that time of the film, and of course she helps transition us to the end.
WHY CHAMPION THIS FILM: Well I think I have given you quite a bit from a movie watching standpoint but there is one other point I think needs to be mentioned as to why this film is important. It deals with complex issues, especially in the case of D. I. D. - Dissociative Identity Disorder, but also toxic relationships, and abuse, in a manner that you often don't see in movies of this genre and type, with the utmost respect. You can feel how much Adrienne researched and was careful about approaching all of this and that just lends itself to an expereince as a movie goer I won't soon forget. This movie is a triumph, well made, well handled, well thought out, and well done.
HERE IS MY INTERVIEW WITH ADRIENNE AND JOHN AFTER THEIR PREMIERE AT CINEQUEST 2023
TO FOLLOW THIS FILM AND LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL THE PRODUCTIONS THAT THE GARAGE PRODUCTIONS HAVE GOIN ON YOU CAN GO HERE
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