A Better Place

Over the past few years, i've only seen a couple of films that had an impact on me. A Better Place was one of them. It was a refreshing change of pace from the generic crap the studios turn out each year. Sure, it has its flaw, but should not be overlooked. Thank god for the the upcoming dvd release, now i can finally show my friends the film i've been talking about for the last year.

I was flipping through the channels and came across IFC (the independent film channel). I see a film playing that for some reason catches my fancy, so I decided to watch it. I'm very glad that my decision was so. That film was A BETTER PLACE. A very moving film, which lets you empathize for the two main characters, each in their own way. Note-worthy direction, acting that is up to par with standard indy flick normality, and dialogue that I can only compare to a dramatized version of KEVIN SMITH's work. Over all, I really enjoyed this flick, and would recommend it to just about anyone I felt was mature enough to handle the adult themes.

JD BRAM

After the death of his father, a young man named Barret (Robert DiPatri) moves to a new town with his mother in search of a new beginning. His first day of school is horrible and everything that could go wrong...does. An outcast loner by the name of Ryan (Eion Bailey) helps him out and the two form an unlikely friendship. However, when Barret starts making new friends and Ryan's philosophical mindset about the world begins to grow more violent, things start to spiral out of control. Ryan begins to fall deeper into hatred and Barret struggles to escape it.

This film is excellent. It is a dark look at teen violence and is extremely moving and powerful. The dialogue is crisp and real throughout. Never is the dialogue overbearing or too long and it is often very moving. Watch for the scenes with Barret and Ryan on the beach and the voiceover in the end for some of the high points. The cinematography is great and Pereira has found the most beautiful location spots in New Jersey. The acting of the two main characters is superb and the rest of the cast shines in his and her roles. Finally, the plot itself is gripping. It constantly keeps the audience wondering what will happen next and the ending climaxes to a breath-taking finale.

Watch many Independent films and you will see an Independent film. The quality is often low and the locations can sometimes be counted on one hand. But watch A Better Place and you will not see an Independent film. Pereira has done more than can be imagined with a final budget of $50,000 and it is definitely a high budget looking film with a low budget price. Too often now-a-days, large companies are Greenlighting and producing horrible movies that contain the worst acting and the most asinine plots you could imagine. It's refreshing to finally see someone make a movie of such high caliber. Vincent Pereira has done this with flying colors for A Better Place.

I purchased this film because I am a huge fan of Kevin Smith. When I purchased it, I did not hear very much about it, but was amazed when viewing. A Better Place is a film you think you will hate but end up enjoying it. From the start when Barret finds his Dad I was shocked but was gripped and had to keep watching. Anyone who is a fan of viewaskew productions or independent films should watch this.

I'd just seen Drawing Flies... I bought it on a whim hoping I'd like it as it was a View Askew Production. It was awful. Just awful. So I was worried about A Better Place, but I took another chance. I was very pleased. It was a $40,000 budget but I think it looks good. The acting is so-so in places of course, and there are actually a few blurry scenes, but overall it's very well done. The character who plays Ryan definitely worked well. The story itself was very intriguing and I could relate to it, having grown up in similar situations. It's not a happy story, so don't expect a comedy. Very good. B+