Sollers Point is another episode of writer/director Matthew. Porterfield's independent features about working class life in and around his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland in the USA. His well - regarded critical reputation rests on his fairly limited portfolio of work, in which all of his projects seem to lie under the same melancholic atmosphere that blankets Sollers Point. To say he casts a cynical eye on the established institutions and social mores underpinning his society is probably an understatement.
I agree with much of what other scribes have written on this forum. If you're looking for a typical 3 - act storyline with this movie, you're unlikely to be satisfied at its conclusion. Porterfield writes and directs in a semi - documentary style and based on what we see here, building a strong narrative arc is not his strong suit. The film focuses on presenting us with a day in the life of recently released ex - con Keith, who is ostensibly trying to re - adjust back into the lower working class mainstream of his local community, which appears to be suffering from the effects of a terminal economic downturn. This directly and indirectly creates multiple road blocks for him.
It's a well acted movie and I agree with others who note that lead, McCaul Lombardi, who I've never seen before, does have a certain charisma and star quality. (He looks very much like a younger, blue - eyed Jeremy Renner.) And it was kind of nice seeing Jim Belushi again, playing Keith's father Carol, in a very much non - comedic, support role.
But I can also understand why lots of punters are expressing frustration with Sollers Point. We get the taste of a few half - way decent storylines with the movie, but Porterfield isn't interested in following things up. Keith just moves endlessly on throughout the day, interacting with an over - extended range of characters, some quite interesting, but with nothing much ever being resolved. It does become quite repetitive. Confusingly too, he seems to have an endless supply of different cars to drive, whilst not owning one himself. The propensity of characters at times to mumble their lines (under direction one feels) doesn't always help with clarification of what and why are motivating characters' actions.
Sollers Point is a film that feels too long, too random and inconsequential for it to have a lasting impact on audiences. I think it needed stronger editing decisions to pare down a film over - crowded with characters and allow time to create a more consequential and compelling story.
I agree with much of what other scribes have written on this forum. If you're looking for a typical 3 - act storyline with this movie, you're unlikely to be satisfied at its conclusion. Porterfield writes and directs in a semi - documentary style and based on what we see here, building a strong narrative arc is not his strong suit. The film focuses on presenting us with a day in the life of recently released ex - con Keith, who is ostensibly trying to re - adjust back into the lower working class mainstream of his local community, which appears to be suffering from the effects of a terminal economic downturn. This directly and indirectly creates multiple road blocks for him.
It's a well acted movie and I agree with others who note that lead, McCaul Lombardi, who I've never seen before, does have a certain charisma and star quality. (He looks very much like a younger, blue - eyed Jeremy Renner.) And it was kind of nice seeing Jim Belushi again, playing Keith's father Carol, in a very much non - comedic, support role.
But I can also understand why lots of punters are expressing frustration with Sollers Point. We get the taste of a few half - way decent storylines with the movie, but Porterfield isn't interested in following things up. Keith just moves endlessly on throughout the day, interacting with an over - extended range of characters, some quite interesting, but with nothing much ever being resolved. It does become quite repetitive. Confusingly too, he seems to have an endless supply of different cars to drive, whilst not owning one himself. The propensity of characters at times to mumble their lines (under direction one feels) doesn't always help with clarification of what and why are motivating characters' actions.
Sollers Point is a film that feels too long, too random and inconsequential for it to have a lasting impact on audiences. I think it needed stronger editing decisions to pare down a film over - crowded with characters and allow time to create a more consequential and compelling story.