You just don't find 'indie' films like this everyday. It's apparent that the film-maker, writer, and star of the film(same guy) considered this a labor of love. Nursing it from short-film Oscar winner, to no-lesser(if not much better) feature film sleeper- diamond.
There are very few flaws, and none are really worth harping about, so let's get to the meat of what makes this a great film.
First. The characters. It's rare that a film doesn't follow every cliché character with every cliché action. The bad guys aren't that bad, and the good guys aren't that good. Characters evolve within 100 minutes, and they may never be the same again.
From Ron Perlman(fantastic as usual), to Emmy Rossum, to the writer/director Shawn Christensen, to newcomer Fadima Ptacek... every character goes through a metamorphosis. Every actor does a fine job. The film may be a low-budget film, but the acting doesn't show it..
Second. Neither does the look. The film looks great. It's certainly not epic in scale, but it has enough artistic flare to put it above a lot of bigger-budget films.
THird. The film oozes with style. From the slow-pans(not overdone - see It Follows) to the color.. It's a dark film with clever and bright color in conservative doses.. kinda mirrors our characters that way.
Fourth. The Music. Great soundtrack. Diverse and perfectly placed within the film. Worth owning.
It's perfectly paced. Not in a hurry, and far from boring.
"Before I Disappear" could have stretched-on another half-hour and I wouldn't have objected in the least. But, the story was complete, and much like making a craft beer or painting, don't overdo it. Put in just enough to make it perfect, or near-perfect anyway. It's so easy to mess-it-up, and Shawn showed a lot of restraint with this project. It isn't over-written, nor is it "over-shot", it isn't over- thought, it's quit simply... delightful.
It's currently(as of 3-4-16) on NETFLIX. I highly recommend catching this film as soon as possible. 2014 was an extremely good year for movies(*even better now). So, it was as much as a surprise to me as it may be to you, that I moved this film into my "Top 25 of 2014"(#8 sitting right behind Birdman#6, and Guardians of the Galaxy#7) I don't give out many 9s. I've only given 43-10s and 135-9s out of 3,650 votes. This is as solid a "9" as I've passed out over the last two years. Massive kudo's to SHawn Christensen. I will watch every single film that he offers-up moving forward.
Warning Spoiler Coming
*Spoiler Summary* Richie is suicidal, and has every intention on making THIS the day he goes through with it. But a desperate phone call from his estranged but still loved sister spins his day and night in a different direction. He meets his niece, who sees him for what he is, a junkie, a loser. Richie runs around the town picking up the pieces of his life, and his sisters, making new friends and re-living/mending relationships along the way.
There are very few flaws, and none are really worth harping about, so let's get to the meat of what makes this a great film.
First. The characters. It's rare that a film doesn't follow every cliché character with every cliché action. The bad guys aren't that bad, and the good guys aren't that good. Characters evolve within 100 minutes, and they may never be the same again.
From Ron Perlman(fantastic as usual), to Emmy Rossum, to the writer/director Shawn Christensen, to newcomer Fadima Ptacek... every character goes through a metamorphosis. Every actor does a fine job. The film may be a low-budget film, but the acting doesn't show it..
Second. Neither does the look. The film looks great. It's certainly not epic in scale, but it has enough artistic flare to put it above a lot of bigger-budget films.
THird. The film oozes with style. From the slow-pans(not overdone - see It Follows) to the color.. It's a dark film with clever and bright color in conservative doses.. kinda mirrors our characters that way.
Fourth. The Music. Great soundtrack. Diverse and perfectly placed within the film. Worth owning.
It's perfectly paced. Not in a hurry, and far from boring.
"Before I Disappear" could have stretched-on another half-hour and I wouldn't have objected in the least. But, the story was complete, and much like making a craft beer or painting, don't overdo it. Put in just enough to make it perfect, or near-perfect anyway. It's so easy to mess-it-up, and Shawn showed a lot of restraint with this project. It isn't over-written, nor is it "over-shot", it isn't over- thought, it's quit simply... delightful.
It's currently(as of 3-4-16) on NETFLIX. I highly recommend catching this film as soon as possible. 2014 was an extremely good year for movies(*even better now). So, it was as much as a surprise to me as it may be to you, that I moved this film into my "Top 25 of 2014"(#8 sitting right behind Birdman#6, and Guardians of the Galaxy#7) I don't give out many 9s. I've only given 43-10s and 135-9s out of 3,650 votes. This is as solid a "9" as I've passed out over the last two years. Massive kudo's to SHawn Christensen. I will watch every single film that he offers-up moving forward.
Warning Spoiler Coming
*Spoiler Summary* Richie is suicidal, and has every intention on making THIS the day he goes through with it. But a desperate phone call from his estranged but still loved sister spins his day and night in a different direction. He meets his niece, who sees him for what he is, a junkie, a loser. Richie runs around the town picking up the pieces of his life, and his sisters, making new friends and re-living/mending relationships along the way.