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newfest
Chestnut was a little something different for me. I liked the film, REALLY liked the film. This review, going to split into 2 parts: Loved / Annoyed (couldn't stand). Both categories: in no particular order... Short version if you can believe it.
loved
Thought I watched the music video for Don Henley's Boys of Summer too many times. Jac Cron (writer / director), in a major sense, duplicated final verse. Reason I loved it: Nostalgia / honestly only way to end the film.
Conversations: combination of scripted, filmed without pre-direction. Paraphrase: conversations I hear at bars / parks / on the street between people. Like Jac Cron was going for 100% authenticity / complete realism.
Tyler (main character): This one is both categories. Loved her: A party girl who, somehow, could stay out all hours and still keep a day job. Let's face it, most people in early 20's could. Some people in their 60's can still do it. Main reason: her party exterior hides something on a seriously deeper level. Almost as if she is running from something or hiding painful experiences. Would love to see an alternate version of this film for this reason alone. Her character caught my attention the most. One detail I especially loved: At one point, she switches her usual drink to a vodka / diet coke. Thought I was only one who ordered that.
Reality: Love Philadelphia (don't get to that city enough). Cut scenes were perfect. Highlighting not only downtown, but entire city. Several I could pick off right away. Again, most conversations you hear in bars / parks / streets of any city. Characters very believable / at same time stereotypical. Maybe due to growing up in 80's, they appear to be duplicated from other films over past several decades. At the same time, unique / extremely believable. Raw emotions, at points, seriously make you feel for each character. Main character backstories: hinted at, leave you with questions you need answers to.
Conversations: combination of scripted, filmed without pre-direction. Paraphrase: conversations I hear at bars / parks / on the street between people. Like Jac Cron was going for 100% authenticity / complete realism.
Tyler (main character): This one is both categories. Loved her: A party girl who, somehow, could stay out all hours and still keep a day job. Let's face it, most people in early 20's could. Some people in their 60's can still do it. Main reason: her party exterior hides something on a seriously deeper level. Almost as if she is running from something or hiding painful experiences. Would love to see an alternate version of this film for this reason alone. Her character caught my attention the most. One detail I especially loved: At one point, she switches her usual drink to a vodka / diet coke. Thought I was only one who ordered that.
Reality: Love Philadelphia (don't get to that city enough). Cut scenes were perfect. Highlighting not only downtown, but entire city. Several I could pick off right away. Again, most conversations you hear in bars / parks / streets of any city. Characters very believable / at same time stereotypical. Maybe due to growing up in 80's, they appear to be duplicated from other films over past several decades. At the same time, unique / extremely believable. Raw emotions, at points, seriously make you feel for each character. Main character backstories: hinted at, leave you with questions you need answers to.
annoyed / couldn't stand
Sorry, but the close-ups when people are speaking annoy the living HELL out of me!!!! We get it, you want to focus on speaker. Seriously, don't you think we can tell who is talking if you pull back on both people???? Chestnut, at times, takes this one to a new level. Especially a scene when Annie and Danny are having a conversation.
Tyler (main character): For one of the reasons I love her, hated the character also. She turns out to be a complete fucking cunt. Offended? Don't care, only way to phrase it. Annie doesn't deserve the way Tyler leads her on at times. Either Tyler is completely oblivious to how Annie feels. OR... just doesn't care in the slightest. We are also led to believe she is doing this to not get hurt, at least in beginning / middle.
Predictability: Unfortunately, Chestnut takes cues from other movies from several decades. Will Tyler and Annie end up together? That storyline had my attention the most. About 1/2 way through, had an idea... People in early 20's figuring out life while stereotypical partying, one reason to escape / enjoy life. Flashback to the 80's: didn't realize anyone still snorted cocaine anymore. Yes, loved the inclusion due to era I grew up in. Never tried it.
Tyler (main character): For one of the reasons I love her, hated the character also. She turns out to be a complete fucking cunt. Offended? Don't care, only way to phrase it. Annie doesn't deserve the way Tyler leads her on at times. Either Tyler is completely oblivious to how Annie feels. OR... just doesn't care in the slightest. We are also led to believe she is doing this to not get hurt, at least in beginning / middle.
Predictability: Unfortunately, Chestnut takes cues from other movies from several decades. Will Tyler and Annie end up together? That storyline had my attention the most. About 1/2 way through, had an idea... People in early 20's figuring out life while stereotypical partying, one reason to escape / enjoy life. Flashback to the 80's: didn't realize anyone still snorted cocaine anymore. Yes, loved the inclusion due to era I grew up in. Never tried it.
overall
Chestnut is a film I seriously liked. Would watch it a 2nd time. Despite the "Annoyed" section, characters / reality part are what really did it for me. Yes, I think the film dragged at a few points. Pacing was great for the most part. Leaving you wanting more without "Ok, time to skip ahead or bail out."
