Pester

Pester is an exciting debut feature film by writer/director/dp Eric Gerber. I am particularly impressed with the depth of the writing. It is a film that explores dark and personal subject matter but also includes a unique quirkiness that gives it a good amount of humor. The story is very original and there are times when it is about go over the edge of creepiness, but it never does. This creates a tension that is reinforced by the interpersonal relationships of the characters. There are moments where it appears that something very twisted is happening and then there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for it, or at least the strange logic of the characters makes the viewer go along with it. It is writing like that that I find compelling in this film. The acting is great, and from reading interviews with Gerber it sounds like there was a healthy division of written lines and actor improvisation, which in this case makes the characters feel more real. The ending is a cleverly executed metaphor, which I won't give away. Beautifully shot and edited, all the elements of this film combined to create a very professional independent film from an exciting new director and a great crew. Looking forward to the next Gerber film.

Pester is one of those films you don't easily forget. Just about every shot is well crafted and visually memorable. I especially appreciate the cinematography--Eric Gerber has an eye for colors and grit. Everything here works well, though. The acting is effectively understated. The dialogue is sparse, but it propels the characters and their conflicts toward an unexpected and unforgettable conclusion. The subject matter is dark and unusual too, but, underneath, the film has quite a bit of heart in the way it handles family relationships.

Pester is a very well-done independent feature with thought provoking characters and situations.

The director, Eric Gerber, does a good job of presenting characters to the audience and then having the audience slowly question their first impressions of the characters.

I found the main characters to be effective and many of the supporting characters to be very interesting and well-acted. The relationship of the brothers was a pleasure to watch as the movie progressed and we learn more about each of them.

The music was simple and effective, and the lighting and editing were top-notch.

My curiosity was sparked by the interesting dynamic that existed within the Pester family. I was drawn into the story by the writer's ability to keep me guessing as my predictions of what was to come continued to change. While the film included many moments of intensity, I appreciated the comic relief laced throughout the movie. There were so many different themes woven within the plot, and the actors/actresses worked well together.The locations for the scenes were well selected and contributed to the rawness of the storyline. Judging by the quality of the picture, the filmmakers made great use of their resources. All the elements of the film helped to create a thoughtfully disturbing and thought provoking picture of family relationships. I look forward to viewing this film again!

A horror film, a city study, and a deeply realized family portrait all at once, PESTER is unique. Set in a darkling LA nowhere PESTER is shot in locations so forlorn they are instant, heart-breaking classics of the genre. Eric Gerber's tactile cinematography is excellent, always beautiful even when picturing what we would normally consider repulsive. The performances, particularly the sensitive portrayals of the Pester brothers by Nick Sommer and Matthew Dunlop -- not to speak of their monstrous father, Thaine Allison -- are deep. There are scenes in PESTER that will make you squirm, and others that will chill you to the bone. But, unlike many exercises in horror, PESTER is not just about cheap thrills. There is a hard-won moral vision at its core. This film takes us on a trip through the byways of hell, as we struggle with the Pesters to reach the other side.