For Years to Come

I caught this at Dances with Films in the episodic block and was really impressed by it. Well made, nicely shot, strong writing and directing - and great performances! It has a very unique tone as it deals with grief, expectations, family, finding love, and sexuality. You could tell the audience was really into it, so I know its themes and humor resonated with people. James Patrick Nelson shared afterwards that he based the story on his own life experiences, and you can tell by the details that you're watching an authentic voice. Hoping it gets picked up as a series because it definitely ends with a cliffhanger!

I really loved the pilot episode- it is unexpected and fun and talks about grief in a really unique and human way. The acting is fantastic and it had moments that made me cry. It features a queer love story that defies the usual stereotypes and cliches, and feels really sweeping, even in such a short amount of time. Jamie Nelson in the central character is particularly fantastic- charming, caring, and occasionally awkward. There were several moments that made me tear up (though I won't give any spoilers). It is a deep look at what it means to live life to the fullest, what we do and don't know about our parents, and how to process grief, even when it is deeply uncomfortable. I highly recommend it!

"For Years to Come," from James Patrick Nelson, succeeds by being at once classic and new. The format and tone, is very traditional. While this could allow it to get lost amongst many other independent Pilots and Shorts, it is worked into an asset: the traditional nature of this piece allows it to surprise you with moments of new-found comedic structure worked into the structure of its dramatic emotional spine. Additionally, in just under half an hour, we get an honest depiction of the characters in vulnerable moments, enhanced -and not undercut- by comedy. (And Richard Riehle is a standout, of course).

I've never become so invested in a show and it's characters so quickly before. To experience such strong emotions within just the pilot episode was unexpected and delightful.

For Years To Come perfectly balances a number of themes - feelings of grief, loss and regret are coupled with reconciliation, love and new beginnings making for a show that is perfectly heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

The comedy - which lands perfectly - is delicately placed amongst a deeply personal story that doesn't go where you might typically expect it to. By the end you're left teary eyed and desperate to know what happens next.

So much to love in this endearingly vulnerable and surprisingly funny portrait of grief and reckoning. There's a raw and unguarded quality to both the writing and performances that draws the viewer in, and has you rooting for the emotional growth and personal connections of its characters, who's relationships and understanding of each other are far more complex than they first seem. The pilot's final twist gives ample runway for delving deep into some unexpected perspectives on the porn industry, queer experience and journey to making peace with aging parents. Based on the pilot, I expected all these themes will continue to be handled with candor, humor and grace, and overall, I'm really excited to see how the rest of this series unfolds!