Jared Gilman – Cut To The Chase

Story By & Directed By: Sophie Kargman

Written By: William Day Frank

Cinematography: Conor Murphy

Editor: Christine Park

Cast: Kiersey Clemons, Alex Wolff, Jim Gaffigan, David Walton, Rachel Sennott, Ken Marino, Isaac Powell, Geoffrey Owens, Alex Moffat, Dolly Wells, Jared Gilman, Kat Foster

An awkward college student who seizes the opportunity to bolster her popularity and her under-the-radar true-crime podcast by solving the disappearance of a classmate.

This is a perfect starring vehicle for actress Kiersey Clemons who hasn’t gotten a role this rich and expressive since SWEETHEART. She ends up being the major reason to watch the film. She is not only the star of the film but It’s heart.

The film starts off as quirky before taking more of a dark spin that even at its darkest stays a bit light. It seems like a film that will be Smile but by the end, it becomes more of a character study.

It offers some twists though eagle-eyed viewers will be able to predict certain elements and revelations, but you can’t see the emotions attached to them.

What at first seems like a movie that could easily be made into a franchise ala MURDER SHE WROTE only younger and with a goody too shoes who is socially awkward at its center. Maybe even on a smaller scale KNIVES OUT Slowly turns into a thriller that slowly becomes thrilling and strangling. Even if for us in the audience the consequences aren’t as daring.

It does stay tight. The only weakness it has is that it never feels like we are that involved and we are held at a distance. Just as we get to know Susie’s day-to-day before she starts investigating. There could have been more scenes to flesh everyone out. Instead of just moments. Where we are not quite sure what the meaning of them exactly are.

The film stays colorful and a bit odd at times. it never breaks into feeling bigger. Even though it takes place in a small town. The film stays feeling minute throughout.

However, it should be noted that race never plays into the film. Her being one of the few minorities in the film and being one of the smartest characters. Also helps her stand out and be more of interest.

It is a perfectly quirky film to watch and be a kind of time waster. Though by the end for all that it succeeds. You just wish it had a bit more impact. You want to give the film the goodwill it seems to want and deserve. Just as the main character seems to desire and lack.

By the end it is ambiguous though it leaves you quite sad. As a kind of melancholy begins to take over.

Grade: C+

Directed By: Wes Anderson
Written By: Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
Cinematography: Robert D. Yeoman
Editor: Andrew Weisblum

Cast: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward, Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Tilda Swinton, Bob Balaban, Lucas Hedges

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the 1960s, as a young boy and girl fall in love they are moved to run away together. Various factions of the town mobilize to search for them and the town is turned upside down – which might not be such a bad thing.

This film has quite a strange mix as it is more of a children’s tale as they fill out the cast but it also has some rather risqué scenes and material involving them. That fits the rebellious nature of the characters and the film. General, it also as the film has an innocence and wholesomeness that is timeless. You never quite feel that there are any dastardly hidden levels or messages. It is all on the up and up. As the film is full of characters who all have character.

As even the few villains that might be in the film. Aren’t malicious, they are just doing what they are supposed to despite the various facts and factions that might require them to abandon the rules.

As the film tries to be an ensemble it feels like the characters are in a dollhouse of sorts. Where they are all connected and there is melodrama but the film never gets bogged down and stays quite lively. Even if it feels at times mroe that everyone is on a playground and they have a connection. So that they constantly affect one another like dominoes being set up. When one falls it falls into another and changes its trajectory.

So while we have the young adult couple as the leads. We see how running away affects the status quo and the adult characters.

That rebellious nature is through the film as it offers some new wave filmmaking influences, moments, and obsessions. which are radical while it focuses on the first love between the main characters. Especially as two outsiders who find solace in each other at random.

Though luckily for all of the influences on display here. The writer/director manages to make them his own original

The movie is beautifully filmed. Which makes the scenes simple yet effective with constructed shots and angles. With sharp attention to detail and the time period are amazing, but are a few of the things writer/director Wes Anderson’s films are noted for.

As the film feels like a storybook throughout. As we constantly feel like we are in a fantasy or dream of a child. Even as the films show some maturity and a bit of sexuality. Which is dealt with so simply and carefully that thankfully it. Ever feels exploitive.

The film tries to give a view of the disappointments and sometimes tragedy of adulthood. Like you are missing something or have lost a certain perspective and quality of yourself. As the world is still cruel, but you Don’t know how to deal with it. You don’t challenge it or morph it to your sensibilities. It has morphed you and you realize it as you try to rational ways to deal with or distract from that revelation.

The film is filled with whimsical cuteness. From a cast that seems more willing to let the harder edges of their performances that they usually bring and let themselves go and be softer and gentler. Surprisingly Bruce Willis is the most memorable in the supporting cast. One of his last memorable movie performances before returning due to health issues.

The novice performances add to the innocence of the characters and situations. Even as they act older than they are, but are still kids at heart. Which makes their story a little more romantic and the adult ones are messy and sad. Yet can’t totally understand or are more envious and want to break it up. As if they can’t have one, why should they?

The more you watch this film the deeper the appreciation of it begins.

In the end, the film is charming and offbeat as it offers the hope and magic of romance. Dependent and understood only by the two involved. A belief that anything is possible when powered by love. As it is the two of you against the world and how relationships are adventures in of themselves even if just emotionally. Only here it is done more physically

Grade: A+

Tag: Jared Gilman

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