This film was masterfully executed. Bent Brooks' excellent direction of five unknown actors from Athens, Georgia created a slowly unfolding story of idolism,idealism, and jealousy between five bohemians living by their wits and skills.
Tim Honigman's screenplay was nuanced and well structured, meshing perfectly with Brooks' directing style. The five main characters were solidly constructed and Honigman weaved fascinating relationships that would shift and tilt as the story progressed.
As the five friends come together to form the White Hall Studio, emotions become complicated as some of the group has more success than others in their chosen endeavour. One is a writer, another a painter, an actor and a filmmaker and a fifth is a wild card as she first come's on the scene straight out of Art School and becomes a bit of a muse.
What transpires is a beautifully composed film orchestrated by Brooks and bouyed by intense and incredible acting from his entire cast. The cinematography was stunning as Brooks chose to create a painterly look with muted tones and splashes of color which blended perfectly with the movie's theme and "vibe." The camera moves slowly and carefully with purpose, and the actors movement within those frames create some well composed sequences. Some of the frames seemed to be paintings themselves and if the frames were taken and blown up, I would happily hang them on my walls. This movie is a surprising little gem with a bold and satisfactory resolution.
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