ToY

I was pleasantly surprised by this film. Producing an Indie is most often a thankless task, but I'd say the filmmaker of this should be proud of this effort, regardless, as it's a solid film with very good performances, cinematography, and editing. Sure, it's a little melodramatic, but the cast really helps keep a viewer interested. The score is very nice also.

At first I found the main character, Chloe, insufferable, ungrateful, and entitled. But as I discovered her secret, which I won't reveal here, I began to feel enormous compassion for her. And I also felt great caring for Kat, the witty, insightful but wounded aging hooker. This is a touching film, with great artistic frameworks in music and video within video.

Then I began to see that this film is a tour de force of intertwining themes that are all bittersweet. The video display in the art museum at the end is particularly touching. The forms that love can take, especially as a healer and salvation, is clearly brought out by the ending. It is not a silly, romcom with unrealistic characters. Instead we are given a range of talented actors illustrating enormous challenges that are heart-rending and thought-provoking.

The triumph of the film itself, as a work of art, mitigates the rotten state of humanity seeking cheap thrills while treating others, as one character says, "As human toilets." Buying bodies for some approximation of love or to fulfill some sadistic fantasy is a serious subject and this film treats it seriously.

Intelligently designed, this film shows and doesn't tell with talky scenes that explain things. Instead it allows the viewer to unfold the impressions in his or her own consciousness and be transformed by this unforgettable artwork.

This is a must-see movie with talented actresses and a great director.