Shout out for cinematography and location scouts because this is a gorgeous looking film. There are some really nice shots, great colors and great locations. The story about grief and letting go maybe isn't new but is timeless even though sometimes it could have been a bit more dramatic and sad because there is supposed to be so much pain. The more problematic part is Austin Lyon. He is really trying but in some scenes he is just way in over his head. But he is young so he will learn and improve. Katherine Hughes on the other does a great job. Liked her in "Say you will" and men "women and children". She is got a bright future ahead. This is the first time I saw Yvette Monreal and she was really good too. She has something very natural in her performance. This is a fine movie with some very talented actors.
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PaxtonMalloy15 February 2021
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JP9511 January 2022If only this had continued to be the gorgeous film this started out as. But alas. After the eleven minute mark, it went steeply downhill.
The biggest problem is that they made girl #1 (stunningly beautiful, talented, incandescent Katherine Hughes) TOO gorgeous and perfect, with the pair having TOO much natural chemistry. How could anyone else EVER measure up?
Enter girl #2, "Caitlyn" - dumber than a box of hair, not even cute (though she sure thinks she is), and one of the most irritating characters of all time. In order for the premise of the film to work at all, girl #1 needed to be less ideal, and/or girl #2 needed to be less terrible. It just doesn't work, as is. It would have benefitted from a whole lot more Katherine Hughes.
Though I suppose it makes sense, for a film about grief, that I should have spent the whole thing grieving for the wonderful film that could have been.
The cinematography, songs, and score were lovely, at least. -
robertmckaig16 May 2020The other three "high" reviews are bogus. Clearly crafted by cast, crew and friends.
This has a horrible script, first time actors, and was possibly filmed with an iPhone.
Every scene has corny piano music trying to "set the mood," and create drama and substance where there is none.
Possibly one of the worst films EVER made. -
docfarzad20 July 2019Every once in a while, I get to be amazed by raw and touching stories like Miguel Duran's Monsoon. Movies like these are often the result of the close knit relationships and camaraderie of the cast behind the scenes that even reveals on camera. I believe works like these deserve much bigger platforms and broader audiences. It's one of those works of art that stays with you for long after you watch them. I hope it doesn't go unnoticed. Better than average acting and coherent storyline. Definitely recommended.
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christine-conradt21 September 2018**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
Jon has never been one for taking chances. Having lived a rather sheltered life as an only child, everything has come relatively easy for him-- and he's about to head off to Cornell to start school in the fall. During the humid, monsoon season in Arizona, Jon spends his days with his best friend and soulmate Sarah whom he never got up the courage to ask out. When Sarah encourages him to go for a drive they end up at Scorpion Gulch where, under the impending storm, they kiss for the first time. Unfortunately, it will be their last. On the drive home, Sarah is killed when a car runs a stop sign and broadsides Jon's car.
It quickly becomes evident to Jon that Sarah was the glue that held his small world together and without her, he has trouble functioning. Deciding to defer college for a year, Jon loses himself in discussions with Sarah even though no one can see her. And to make matters worse, the only person who seems to understand his grief is his terminally ill grandmother.
When Jon's parents insist he gets a job if he's not going to go to school, he takes a stock room position at the company where his underemployed father works. There he meets an attractive but troubled girl named Caitlyn who introduces him to drugs, partying, sex, and a reckless abandon Jon never experienced with Sarah. Sarah (the apparition version) doesn't approve of Sarah and tries to talk him out of continuing the relationship.
But the more Jon gets to know Caitlyn, the more he realizes they have something in common he never had with Sarah-- they've both lost someone close and are navigating the grief in their own ways.
Seeing that Caitlyn is helping Jon get over the loss, Sarah eventually comes around to accepting Caitlyn as her replacement. But getting better means entertaining the idea of going off to school, which doesn't sit well with Caitlyn who dropped out of college.
Taking some advice from his grandmother, Jon takes Caitlyn to various energy vortexes in the Sonoran Desert intended to heal. When Caitlyn finally breaks down and cries over the loss of her mother, Jon realizes they've both made it over the hump that was keeping them stuck in their pain.
Caitlyn's influence on Jon is evident too. He takes his first real risk by jumping off a cliff into dark water which he would never have done before. The choice to do so helps him cut ties with Sarah indefinitely.
Although slightly slow at times, this is a really touching story about death and grief and moving on. Well-acted and beautifully shot, the film certainly stays with you after it's over. -
contactabe30 October 2019Monsoon is beautiful because of its storytelling, great visuals and style, great soundtrack, and standout performances.
The relationships are beautifully captured and it captures what loss feels like.
This is a great indy film and once I've watched twice. Give it a shot and you won't be disappointed.