Future Weather

The old adage "save the best for last" certainly applies to this year's Tribeca Film Festival as the last screening I attended was the thought provoking emotional journey Future Weather. I met its writer, director and producer Jenny Deller at the Tribeca Press Reception where she gave me the film's background and I'm happy to say it lived up to my expectations. In fact, after watching it, it's hard to assess what this triple threat filmmaker does best.

Obviously this is not the kind of story that utilizes car chases and explosions. Although, despite the fact that its main cast is all female, it's far from a chick flick. The basic plot deals with how a very bright and mature thirteen year old, recently abandoned by her not so bright and immature mother, uses her love of science to fill the gap of a normal family life. Lead actress Perla Haney-Jardine's "Laduree" carries the film with just the right amount of security for her age without seeming too much like a Juno-esque smart-aleck. Lili Taylor's portrayal of understanding teacher "Ms. Markovi" is quite different than many of her other roles and Amy Madigan's beer guzzling grandma "Greta" adds great comic relief.

What helps the characters drives the film is a great balance of dramatic emotion and knowledge. Environmental metaphors not only explain the premise but thanks to Deller's brilliant script they subtly bring together the duel storyline thereby giving it an intelligent, yet relatable perspective. In fact, trying to guess where and how the scientific symbolism will relate to our protagonist is part of the fun and makes watching both interesting and entertaining. In addition, once Deller lays out her characters nothing seems forced. Case in point, we know "Laduree" loves the environment so it seems natural that she would stop in the middle of the street and recycle a plastic bag.

Visually, Denner's direction certainly shows how the actual art of film can say plenty without too much or in some cases any dialogue. Consciously (or sub-consciously) her quick cuts in the right places accentuate humor, her wide singular shots signify loneliness and of course various close-ups show intensity. This versatility may seem like filmmaking 101 except for one thing… as she indicated to me in a previous interview…Deller never took filmmaking 101! Her self taught style is therefore all the more impressive.

Bottom line, if there's one filmmaker that should feel satisfaction from Tribeca 2012…it's Deller. Not only was this "never attended film school" female writer/director/producer's first outing in an A-List festival a feature length...but she combined a story very personal to her by utilizing a political issue very passionate to her. No doubt her creative vision could one day make her the next Nora Ephron, Penny Marshall or Kathryn Bigelow.

There is not much going on in this film, and there is a lot of despair. But from another perspective, it is a story about a girl dealing with dysfunctional family issues, particularly a mother who wants to follow her dreams & abandons her daughter. It makes a change from the unreal blockbusters. This film is not about stardom, but about messy lives that many experience, at least at some point. Climate change is an underling issue in this film, but more so are mental health issues, particularly how family issues move between the generations & how one member impacts others.

Wow, only one other person reviewed this? Why? I'm giving it an 8/10 because it finds the right balance between different extremes. It gives us a few interesting and not always predictable characters - all of whom have likable and not so likable features. Also (I'm biased here), it's one of the few movies out there that show the scientific spirit in an interesting and authentic way, from the point of view of a troubled teenage girl who happens to like the natural world.

While a bit tense in certain ways, it's also an optimistic film in the end (maybe going a bit too far in the last minute), so for me it hit the right tone. More of these kinds of movies should be made and seen.

Future weather is about a young girl,left alone by a brainless, selfdeclared super make-up artist mum,who goes to to the mekka ofor dreamers, hollywood ,L.A..

the girl has a grandmother nearby, but they dont have a good relationship. but the girl is a mutitalented genious, and makes everything so maticolously well that she can bear over,even with just 50 dollars to live on till mum eventually gets back. that as the short story, and i will advice everyone who like youngsters in drama film, this is just faboulous. the female lead were at the time of production 13-14 yrs old, but acts like a woman well into her 30's and even better than that.

its love, hate,poverty,loneliness, achievements, thieving, family, hopes ,wishes and most of all decisions. i decided to fly through this 2012 feature lenght drama, but eased down to normal speed, did even repeat here and there,not to miss the plot, because its a sad and gloomy reminder to us all how voulnerable children are, so as u2 once sang,''with or without you''*2,''but i still havent found what im looking for''.

the determination shown in the making and acting are so huge, that the grumpy old man, and the not so grumpy wife were gobsmacked and stunned by this flick. its a highly recommended film.