- Film Review
- Reviewed By Leslie Felperin
-
4 out of 5
Performance artist Miranda July's accomplished, bittersweet feature debut weaves together the stories of various lost and lonely suburbanites struggling to connect in southern California. Shoe salesman Richard (John Hawkes) is so distraught when his wife dumps him, he sets fire to his own hand. Literally and figuratively scarred, he's hesitant to respond to romantic overtures from kooky artist-cum-cab driver Christine (writer/director July, in a striking series of retro 1980s blouses). Some viewers might feel a little uncomfortable about subplots involving Richard's teenage son Peter (Miles Thompson) discovering oral sex and even younger Robby (Brandon Ratcliff) entering into a salacious online relationship with a stranger. However, July handles such material with sensitivity and respect as well as humour. Although the offbeat independent movies that become hits at the Sundance film festival feel all too common currency these days, this particular example stands above the rest for its sharp writing and abundant heart.
Plot Summary
Comedy drama starring Miranda July and John Hawkes. In suburban Los Angeles, a shoe salesman struggles to come to terms with his disintegrating marriage - a task not helped by his encounter with an eccentric artist and his sons' sexual adventures.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Christine Jesperson
- Miranda July
- Richard Swersey
- John Hawkes
- Peter Swersey
- Miles Thomspon
- Robby Swersey
- Brandon Ratcliff
- Sylvie
- Carlie Westerman
- Michael
- Hector Elias
- Andrew
- Brad William Henke
- Heather
- Natasha Slayton
- Rebecca
- Najarra Townsend
- Nancy Herrington
- Tracy Wright
Crew
- Director
- Miranda July
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