editfilmr

An endearing and very engaging fictional family's ties and hidden history , linked to an actual historic event [ the Kasztner train rescue of beleaguered Hungarian Jews in 1943 ] .

The attendees and myself viewing this very dramatic movie , at The Stony Brook Film Festival this weekend , could not help but be drawn into the interwoven plot lines of a family's secret , and it's impact on individual family members. What unfolds before you is a story of past choices that not only impact and shape those involved in a life and death struggle to survive , but the psyches and values each fall back on as they navigate their own way through life .

Generations from family patriarch , Emil Pikler [ expertly played by actor Eli Wallach ] , his sons Warren and Robert , and grandson Issac - "Zak" interplay , as years of emotional knots and protective walls start to unwind and come down . The inherited genes are subtly displayed , linking family traits ( i.e. love of the "game" - baseball , stubbornness , etc. ) . Yet , it's the impact of seeing a traumatic event take place that sets the stage for the knots and walls to be formed , and hence , individual actions and reactions on one's own life path [ navigating through the cosmos ] .

Eli Wallach is indeed an American theatrical and dramatic institution . (93 years young and still giving us engaging performances. Mazel tov ! ) . Lawrence Pressman gives a fantastically warm performance as the beleaguered and scarred son , Warren . Look for Daniel Sauli , portraying the grandson Zak , ably backed up by his girl friend Delphina ( Annie Parisse ) , who slice us through the plot lines and family history . Kudos as well to Ronald Guttman , as the counter-point brother Robert , who brings shaded comic release and vivid stark reality to the varying situations .

This presentation could apply to a multitude of families whose members have survived WWII ( or other horrific family altering conflicts ) . It's the untold stories ( and secrets ) that may yet haunt and contort warm and strong family ties , causing sad separations . Perhaps , some secrets and histories are better kept hidden . Sadly , many are dying off with their holders , as generations pass away.

Gauging the audience's reaction , this entry should capture at a top prize at the festival , and do well as it's released to the public . Director and writer Jeremy Davidson has constructed a moving and emotional vehicle to be enjoyed with your own families (regardless of nationalities, religions, creeds , etc . ) . Meanwhile , here's to living ( on ) , and to Life ! L' Chaim !

Nice first-time effort by Francois Dompierre . Kudos to him, actor Joey Kern , and Lindsey Davis , Art Director for staying after it's East Coast screening at the Stony Brook Film festival for the Q & A .

The frustrating , platonic "love story" was a little slow in developing , but tended to become more fleshed out as the movie wore on and the character's traits and aspects were revealed to us in the audience . The use of the dream sequences with Richard Roundtree , were somewhat vague , but did tend to lead into the next chapter or vignette .

The desert landscapes spoke volumes of the "relationship" between the two main characters Wes (Joey Kern) and Alison (Alexandra Holden) . Warm and enticing , yet empty and foreboding . This non-committal "dance" between the two directly echos many , many relationships in our modern , fast-paced materialistic world . (Many that i have personally encountered ,and with some of my friends) . Bravo to Francois to presenting this movie in such a way, yet leaving the "possibilties" open for something more substantial in the future .

The acting was top - notch , as they lead us on their journey's of evolving , maturing , and feeling out what "fits' in the present , and what might be a "best" fit .... for each one in the future . ( I can certainly see continued success for both Joey & Alexandra ) .

For the average film - goer , this film may be a bit tedious and frustrating ( as was evidenced in the crowd around me ) . I would recommend this more for an artsy , thinking , engaged viewing crowd , who recall having youth and time on their side , floating through modern life ...... before tomorrow ..... Life ... and the overhead theater's lights ... kick in !

I just got back from the Stony Brook Film Festival , in which "Man in the Chair" , made it's New York premiere .

Excellent Oscar worthy performances turned in by Christopher Plummer [ Best Actor ] in the role of Flash , a former gaffer for Orson Welles and M. Emmet Walsh [ Best Supporting Actor ] in the role of Mickey , a forgotten , award winning screen writer . Both roles revolved around the young high school movie enthusiast and budding filmmaker, Cameron Kincaid [ played by Michael Angarano ] .

The evolving plot(s) not only take you into his world of a teen-aged student and "peer-pressured" lower class adolescent , but weave into our current societal "maladies" of throwaway , and discard-able "living remnants" all around us . The "remnants" to include the elderly (their abuse and sad state of being forgotten and being "discounted" among family , and society - at - large ), dogs ( and pets ) in general , that are abandoned by humans ( and their fate amongst the heap of "the remnant pile" ) , and "old Hollywood" memories , personal pictures , cameras , equipment , "secret gathering places" with loads of history and nostalgia ( lost to modern methods , means , and maniacal quests for mega-money ) .

You leave the theater with these topics in mind , forever floating as the "tapestry" of them has been woven right before you . As with the elderly , for anyone who has seen Micheal Moore's "Sicko" , this movie ties nicely into the bigger aspect on not only health care , but the elderly's forgotten "value" and skills and attributes , that one day shone brightly in the world , and may be tapped into again , if only asked . Most importantly , we ALL will be elderly , ... someday !

Pets were linked to the throwaway theme , and screams loudly at other "items" that we once care for and may care and love us , unconditionally back .

Sadly , noting the many , many "little people" that so profoundly produced the celluloid epics we have loved on the silver screen for generations . That they "may" have been listed in the flashing credits at the end of every movie , but yet played an everlasting part to bring us memorable film magic . Their stories, their memories , their memorabilia , mostly discarded and forgotten . Yet , just as integral a role as the finest Actor and best Director on a memorable film . As Flash put it in the film , " we "others" who didn't socialize with the "uppers" , but took just as much pride in the wrap ! " .

I leave it to you and your experiencing the film ,to encounter who THAT man in the chair IS , and what responsibilities , sacrifices , and amounts of time and love are required , to be , there . As a society , we are : the rising younger generation , and please ponder , with this film , their ties ( our ties )to the declining , enriched generations , we will someday become .

Good luck to Micheal Schroeder and his ensemble in an award worthy winning film .