Ananda Films
SAN FRANCISCO -- Director Clark Brigham's first feature, which had its world premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival, is a small domestic drama, shot in San Francisco, about the conflicts between father and sons. Unfortunately, the filial relationship is the weakest aspect of Brigham's movie (co-written by Brigham and Richard Taylor), in large part because of an overwrought, self-indulgent performance by Tommy Hinkley as the patriarch. Audiences may still be drawn to the film for some good performances by The Young Adults in the cast, and for Brigham's fine hand in the romantic scenes.
Seventeen years ago, Jake (Scott Cooper, "Gods and Generals") fled from his mother (Theresa Russell) and his cheating, bullying father (Hinkley) after a violent confrontation between Dad and Jake's friend and painting mentor, Marco (Craig Sheffer). Now Jake has returned to the city, renting a loft from Catherine (Gabrielle Anwar), and spending his time painting, bartending and lurking around his parents' house, debating whether to let them know he has returned.
The story takes some clumsy turns, and the dialogue can be godawful, but there's a wonderful candle-lit scene between Anwar and Cooper that glows with a sexy, romantic aura. Cooper has a scruffy ease that carries him through even the worst patches of the movie (he looks like a less beefy Ben Affleck), and Anwar possesses a frazzled grace. The two characters make sense together even when the movie doesn't. Sheffer does what he can with his small, poorly conceived part.
The lighting isn't always good, and a sequence with Catherine's two toddlers goes on so long it feels like home video. But a director who can elicit performances like Cooper's and Anwar's may be capable of far better things in the future than this torpid tale of generational clash.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Director Clark Brigham's first feature, which had its world premiere at the San Francisco International Film Festival, is a small domestic drama, shot in San Francisco, about the conflicts between father and sons. Unfortunately, the filial relationship is the weakest aspect of Brigham's movie (co-written by Brigham and Richard Taylor), in large part because of an overwrought, self-indulgent performance by Tommy Hinkley as the patriarch. Audiences may still be drawn to the film for some good performances by The Young Adults in the cast, and for Brigham's fine hand in the romantic scenes.
Seventeen years ago, Jake (Scott Cooper, "Gods and Generals") fled from his mother (Theresa Russell) and his cheating, bullying father (Hinkley) after a violent confrontation between Dad and Jake's friend and painting mentor, Marco (Craig Sheffer). Now Jake has returned to the city, renting a loft from Catherine (Gabrielle Anwar), and spending his time painting, bartending and lurking around his parents' house, debating whether to let them know he has returned.
The story takes some clumsy turns, and the dialogue can be godawful, but there's a wonderful candle-lit scene between Anwar and Cooper that glows with a sexy, romantic aura. Cooper has a scruffy ease that carries him through even the worst patches of the movie (he looks like a less beefy Ben Affleck), and Anwar possesses a frazzled grace. The two characters make sense together even when the movie doesn't. Sheffer does what he can with his small, poorly conceived part.
The lighting isn't always good, and a sequence with Catherine's two toddlers goes on so long it feels like home video. But a director who can elicit performances like Cooper's and Anwar's may be capable of far better things in the future than this torpid tale of generational clash.
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