Wow! What an experience watching 'The Impact Factor' was.
If you're in a hurry and just want to know whether or not to watch the movie, here's my nutshell review...
Do it!
This isn't a simple or feel-good film. On the contrary, it's deliciously tangled, somewhat complicated, definitely wide-ranging... and also inspiring.
There are several concurrent themes, some with sub-themes. So there are many takeaways seeded through the storyline. You'll enjoy a thrill of excitement each time you uncover one.
The 'Big Idea' is that just about everything has an impact.
Every person makes an impact. Every life is shaped by several impacts. And the nature of the impact is diverse, varied, different.
'The Impact Factor' is the story of several such impacts - on many different people.
It begins with little Brianna tossing a penny to determine the direction of her walk at the next corner. Heads, she'll turn right. Tails, she'll turn left.
And straightaway, you begin to wonder...
Aren't we all like this little kid? Flipping a coin. Making choices almost randomly. Being led down new, exciting paths - or dull, familiar routines.
Doing our best along the way, with whatever we get, with what we see and experience.
Jayla is a complex character whom Brianna meets on her walk.
She's shaped by her circumstances and relationships. Positioned in time and place by twists of fate and fortune, she nurtures anger and hope in equal measure.
Once again, like many of us!
How does she decide? What does she think and do? And where do her choices lead her?
Each scene in the movie is a revelation of sorts.
And then, her path intersects with the powerful, ambitious, aggressive young political operative Destiny Drifting.
Destiny is running for Chief of Staff to the Mayor. Her Councilman father is her inspiration. And she's in a no holds barred fight against stiff competition.
She also decides to mentor young Jayla... and tries to relate to the disturbed teenager.
It all comes to a head when a crisis erupts - and ends in catastrophe!
As we watch these many interwoven stories unfold... see circumstances and events entwine and unravel again... realize how even remote choices affect other lives...
We can't but help marvel at our own place and role in the gloriously intricate tapestry of life.
Admire how apparently innocent decisions can lead to magnificent unintended consequences.
And realize that we truly matter!
This is what makes The Impact Factor such an interesting watch. It's a complex film. Quite unpredictable. And undeniably 'real'.
It's about people - just as they actually are, not how we'd want them to be. Raw and real. Human and humane. With their flaws and failings, warts and scars.
But then... isn't that how people are, really?
The entire film is about such realizations. Some cause discomfort. And then, foster acceptance.
In 'The Impact Factor' movie, each character's choices are the consequence of situations and circumstances - stuff that had an IMPACT upon them.
And those choices, in turn, impact other people.
Some of this impact leads to tragedy. Others generate hope. None of it is ever meaningless. As the movie's tagline goes...
"You make a difference, whether you want to or not".
