INDIE MOVIE REVIEW - 1660 VINE

 1660 VINE

RELEASED: November 4th, 2024
RUN TIME: 1:58
GENRE: MUSICAL

SYNOPSIS: This high-energy movie musical follows a group of influencers as they take up residence in a famed Hollywood apartment building to pursue their dreams of social media stardom. Voiced by an original script and score written by a diverse group of 20-something songwriters, the various characters of "1660 Vine" confront questions of fame, influence, identity, and mental health. All the while, the residents of the aspirational Vine address update their followers through vlogs, gaming streams, makeup tutorials, TikTok dances, songs and pranks, as they navigate the search for identity, discovering the difference between what is authentic and what is not.

Written by Jackson Prince

Directed by Patricia McGregor

Starring: Lisa Loeb, Khemuni Norodom, Fernada Romero, Elle Deran, Chris Olsen, CJ Cruz, Malachi Durant, Kausha Campbell, Pia Toscano, Jaiden Klein, Brianna Gentilella, and Maya Jane Lagerstam

When I first delved into this movie, the very initial thought was how long before the cutesy, congeniality of tongue and cheekiness, and breaking into song would wear me down, especially looking to see this was a good 2 hours long? Well I will answer that in a moment. 

First though I have to say among the flash and the vibrancy this film adds within a very wholehearted singing approach, with over the top layering of a counter culture that has permeated the very nature of fame and prosperity, especially in the youth sector of society, there is this interesting, almost Meta BTS (behind the scenes) that adds an unexpected layer and fundamental truth to what is being fancied for entertainment purposes. 

It is at those times that the best of what this movie is shines for me. There is a Degrassi-esque realness to it that never goes really dark but goes to a place that within the its cuteness portrays a real powerful and strong messaging. It is also at those times when the songs begin to stick, the acting begins to shine, and the direction settles in for what I think is the best choices made by Patricia McGregor. There is still plenty of visual stimulus that this movie never lacks, but it is done in a way that really enhances the feelings and internal strife that is bubbling up. 

This movie really does surprise you with how it has these neat pivots, these interior battles, and this strong sense of yeah what we are really portraying is the ridiculousness of a cultural phenomenon. Those involved in the film will lean into the absurdity with a very nice conviction but when they do so unguarded, something happens that endears us as an audience to grab a hold of and see a different side of this, especially for those of skeptical of its validity. 

I think the editing here is absolutely terrific. Tyler Milliron, who also shot the movie, plays with images and colors that only radiate and enhance the stimulus but also lend it self to stay within the pacing outlined by Patricia's strong direction. Her design of how to get this to the strength of a stage play feel but never confine it to that made for the movements to also cut into and blend the truimphs this movie leads you toward. I think those choices were spot on and they both show the vast emptiness of that stage and the restraints that confine its characters from within a camera's influencer set up.  Both of those aspects play a great role in the pivots. 

I love that the actors went for it here too and yet still found the internal strifes, gave us the craft they used to get there, even if they had to sing to do so. There are really two amazing moments for me, when the apartment manager Renee (played by Cheryl Porter) reveals who she was in a past live to a rousing Hollywood jazzy, sprinkling of red carpet magic and then the moment when Danny (played nicely by Khemuni Norodom) confronts Cat (played well by Jaiden Klein), the video game vlogger, and we get our first glimpse into how this movie was about to utilize its own narrative to deconstuct the 1st and part of the 2nd acts.

You don't often get to see when an ensemble really lets loose how much the satire stings when it gets real. I think those choices are valiadated by those moments each of these characters kind of gets and nails. The makeup tutorial in the live stream or social commentary on the makeup tutorial video, very nicely acted there.

I also have to admit the 1660 Wine Girls played by Feranda Romero and Elle Deran had me on the floor laughing. They were fun as the unreliable narrators.

Ultimately this movie leans heavily on its bravado to be wholesome, colorful, and a tad too perky and quirky at times. I will say some of the songs are harder to get through than others but ultimately I love the messaging that gets embedded here. I never got wore down or tired of it, to answer the very initial question I posed in this review.  This is a great distraction film if there ever was one and it also will sneak up on you how it surprises your moral compass and emotional sensibilities. 

YO

 YOU CAN WATCH THIS MOVIE VIA AMAZON PRIME HERE: 1660 VINE