Backgammon

Great film! Overall so good! I enjoyed it so so much! It was beautifully casted and directed. There was great chemistry between all of the actors and characters! It was very intense and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Not many movies do that. The acting felt very real and the cinematography matched beautifully with the music and the setting. The mystery in the characters really set me on edge and gave me the chills. I felt entirely invested in the characters, story, and the plot. I knew nothing of this film before watching it and was really surprised at the quality of the film and how I felt so emotionally involved. I had no idea that there would be so much mystery and suspense because I knew nothing about it. I am definitely excited for more work from director and writer Francisco Orvañanos. Once again, overall amazing movie and I rate it a 10/10 must watch.

OK, I have a theatre minor, and this is the first thing that struck me: college project. For that it gets at least an 8. For a movie - a 4 because there are so many worse. The whole thing could have been presented on a set. Overacted, weak scripted, a good "effort" for a grade in school. The story is pointless, just a character study by actors who hammer home their scripted characters hard enough to make sure the professor gets it. "Didja see how nutty I am?" Here, I'll do it again - bigger! Characters are introduced and just fade out without reason. It's basically a two person performance for the audience.

A jumble of loosely related characters spending some time in a huge mansion which, itself, had more character and could have been the subject of the movie. They all fade away without any real justification, leaving the two: an introverted, but smart kid who sees how crazy the other is, but he's attracted by the extroverted wild girl. Problem, I just don't believe his justification. I get more that he knows she's at least two screws loose, but can't walk (or run) away. There's no emotion behind his attraction. So many better out there.

The cinematography in Backgammon is beautifully done, contrasting quaint yet eerie exterior shots with intimate looks into the characters Miranda and Lucien.

The personalities of these characters perfectly balance one another as the plot delves into unsettling and unpredictable territory. Brittany Allen is wonderful as Miranda - cute, yet crazy, while Noah Silver plays a grounded, unpretentious ivy-league chap.

The music, when present, creates a mood that is introspective and peaceful, but when absent we're provided with raw dialogue that really makes the conflicts of personalities come to front.