So I don’t throw all of the films I’m watching at Sundance on you all at once, I’m breaking it up into smaller chunks for you all to digest. Also, so I can elaborate a little bit more than just a line or two. So far, some pretty strong entries from my list!
When You Finish Saving the World -For this being an A24 film directed by Jesse Eisenberg, I was kind of disappointed by this drama. It centers mainly on an estranged relationship between a mother and her teenaged son. It’s clear the two cannot relate to each other at all. Evelyn is an uptight director of a shelter for survivors of abuse while her son is most concerned with making fake money for bad songs on some streaming platform. Even though Evelyn does some inspiring work, both of these characters are extremely unlikeable and it’s no wonder they’re related. You hope and it does happen that the two find their way back to each other by the end, but it’s a long and cringe-inducing ride there. Not my favorite, unfortunately.
Call Jane – I kind of went into this film a little bit blindly, as I really just picked it for the Elizabeth Banks of it all, but this drama really ended up surprising me! It’s a fictional tale about a housewife from the 60s who joins the very real Jane Collective, who’s focus in this film is offering up abortions to women. I didn’t realize how taboo abortions were back in the late 60s, but doctors would have rather let both Joy and her baby potentially die than give Joy an abortion to live. She fatefully calls “Jane” and gets her life saved, then gets roped into helping out a lot of other women in similar predicaments. It’s all very noble, and a little bit thrilling given how what they’re are doing is illegal. It was also sort of crazy to learn that non-physicians were performing the procedure! Very engrossing and eye-opening! I recommend checking it out when it hits the general public.
Watcher – A simple premise that left my nerves as frayed as the main character, Julia. She’s just moved to Romania with her husband who’s got a good, if demanding, job opportunity. This means Julia is left alone a lot, in a place she doesn’t know, and a language she doesn’t speak or really understand. She’s convinced some creep across the street is watching her, and her paranoia isn’t helped when she learns about a local serial killer, called The Spider, who’s going around town decapitating women. It’s frustrating watching all of her pretty valid fears (in my opinion) get swatted away by everyone, and it’s no wonder she starts mentally unraveling. What I thought made this thriller even more successful was not having all of the Romanian dialogue subtitled. I felt about as lost as Julia did, and I’m sure that was the point. This was a fun thriller that you should check out if it reaches the public.
Fresh – Well holy hell – this horror film was awesome! My favorite entry so far, Noa has essentially given up on love until she meets “the perfect guy.” His sweetness and charm are what sways her to say yes to a weekend away with Steve after just two dates. Red flag much!? Her friend thinks it’s sketchy and so do I. After the whole rom-com of it all, the film does a total 180 and has you feeling as disoriented as Noa, who is clearly being held prisoner for some dire fate. That fate is kind of nasty, but so engrossing I couldn’t look away. Sebastian Stan is near perfect in this film, and Daisy Edgar-Jones certainly holds her own. I think if I had to describe it to you, it’d be a mix of Psycho, meets Hannibal, meets Get Out. Not convinced yet? It also boasts a pretty awesome soundtrack to its twisted events. This is a must-see and since a studio already picked it up, you should get your chance! I know I’ll be seeing this a second time.