TIM KIRKMAN

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBB.  

USA, 2016.  T42 Entertainment, Sugarloaf Productions, Shawn & John Productions, 5 Child Productions.  Screenplay by Tim Kirkman.  Cinematography by Gabe Mayhan.  Produced by Tim Kirkman, Todd Shotz.  Music by Steven Argila.  Production Design by Frances Lynn Hernandez.  Costume Design by Wendy Chuck.  Film Editing by Caitlin Dixon.

A graphic artist who designs posters for Hollywood movies reaches the limits of patience when a client orders that he redo a project.  Having just learned from his eye doctor that he needs that undeniable marker of middle age, progressive lenses, Dean heads out to his cottage in Joshua Tree after getting an email from old flame Alex, whom he hasn’t heard from since he broke his heart by disappearing fifteen years earlier.  Curious to see what will come of their reunion, Dean keeps his resentment to himself and invites Alex to his secluded paradise, and their interaction brings up a number of situations, erotic, dramatic and everything in between as they spend a few days catching up.  While missing the sexy tension of Weekend, this subtle and unassuming film has good acting, gorgeous scenery and enough smart content to overcome the moments that lack imagination (why does everyone have to mention that Harold and Maude is their favourite movie so that we’ll find them endearing?) Lucas Near-Verbrugghe is particularly good as Dean, and his command of the character’s contradictions is enough to keep the whole thing rolling for ninety minutes.