For Years to Come

I caught For Years to Come at a film festival in New York, and it was far and away the highlight of the entire event. The performances were delightful across the board. James Patrick Nelson and Richard Riehle deliver particularly inspired and joyful performances, despite the fact that this pilot presents the audience with themes of grief and secrecy. Very well-written and very well-made! This was clearly crafted with a lot of love and care. The heart of For Years to Come is immense and earnest, and it was a treat to watch. Also, it ends with a hilarious and unexpected revelation that I need to know more about. I'm dying to see where it goes from here!

"For Years to Come," from James Patrick Nelson, succeeds by being at once classic and new. The format and tone, is very traditional. While this could allow it to get lost amongst many other independent Pilots and Shorts, it is worked into an asset: the traditional nature of this piece allows it to surprise you with moments of new-found comedic structure worked into the structure of its dramatic emotional spine. Additionally, in just under half an hour, we get an honest depiction of the characters in vulnerable moments, enhanced -and not undercut- by comedy. (And Richard Riehle is a standout, of course).

. . . and leaves you demanding more when it ends!

I wasn't quite sure what kind of story I'd walked into and, at first, the awkwardness of the opening sequence gave me that uncomfortable "voyeur-vibe" that I was being privy to too much information--like being invited to a funeral of a complete stranger, just for fun.

And, within seconds, I'm caught up in the silence, the grief and the parts of relationships that don't have words. I was totally spellbound by the father/son conversations that are both familiar and unexpected.

In fact, it the "unexpected" in this short film that caught my attention and kept me engaged throughout--with great storytelling, inviting characters and solid performances!

I simply want more!!!! It was beautiful!!!! Thank you!!!!

First virtue - Richard Riehle , in the role of father.

Second good point - the story itself, precise crafted, tender, gentle and soft.

Not less- the humor, nostalgia, realism and what real matters . And, sure, the wisdome of mother and her very special legacy.

Difficult to describe the story because it seems a personal letter . Not the lines, not the message in exact way but the feeling reading it - this real matters. Sure, easy to say I like or just I love it but , maybe, fair remains to define it as profound useful short film. Including for the secret of father, for hat and for the dialogue of son with a guy who knows him very precise as last gift from the lovely mother.

I've never become so invested in a show and it's characters so quickly before. To experience such strong emotions within just the pilot episode was unexpected and delightful.

For Years To Come perfectly balances a number of themes - feelings of grief, loss and regret are coupled with reconciliation, love and new beginnings making for a show that is perfectly heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.

The comedy - which lands perfectly - is delicately placed amongst a deeply personal story that doesn't go where you might typically expect it to. By the end you're left teary eyed and desperate to know what happens next.