Who Are You People

What a fantastic, thought-provoking movie. We accidentally discovered this on steaming last weekend and I'm so glad we did. It's so refreshing to watch filmmakers who still aren't afraid to take risks. This one does does - and it definitely pays off. I'd highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a rewarding movie-watching experience. The acting is great and so is the script and directing. The characters feel real and the story is totally engaging. Ema Horvath is phenomenal as the lead. She delivers the kind of fearless performance so rarely seen these days. Do yourself a favor and be sure to check it out!

Alex (Ema Horvath) is a rebellious disconnected 16 year old in Portland. She looks at a picture of her family and asks the title question. She has no friends at school and only one at a different school. After an inappropriate incident with her teacher, she finds a letter in her mother (Alyssa Milano)'s desk. Her father is not her biological father and she sets off to find her missing parent (Devon Sawa).

Most of the time, I complain about older actors playing teenagers. In this case, I don't mind Ema being in her late 20's. This movie is uncomfortable enough as it is. I put most of the awkwardness down to a clueless know-it-all teen lead character. It's not the fun coming-of-age film that it probably wants to be. It can't be due to the subject matter. The reveal is pretty obvious early on. At least, it's not a surprise to any alert viewer. There are a few needed changes. Mostly, it needs to darken the tone of the movie. Whether it's the music score or the few attempted jokes, this movie needs to clip those out. This is only going to work if it's dark.

What seems at first like it will be a simple feel-good family drama with a nice bow at the end reveals itself to be an unexpectedly complex exploration of family, morality, and whether people can change.

Without giving away any spoilers, the director deftly and sensitively explores complicated experiences of its characters without seeming too trite or sensational. Add to that a stellar cast, and gorgeous cinematography and sets, and I'm planning to revisit it again this week now that I know about the big plot twist at the end.

This is a great indie flick that you'll want to watch a few times.

I didn't know anything about this movie. I just clicked on it out of boredom. I was pleasantly surprised by how immersive it was. Nothing is pushed on the viewer so you have a lot to think about when you analyse situations and relationships. The only push I felt was something I already try to use in my life and that is the importance of trying to understand. Not condemning or condoning, but just to understand, because we are humans and we are supposed to be capable of understanding.

I can't say anything bad about any actors performance. Casting was just perfect. I have to say that I was surprised by the only actress I recognised, Alyssa Milano. I haven't seen(remember) much of her work but watching her as a host on Project Runway Allstars turned me off. Here, her acting perfectly filled the role.

Ema Horvath (starring as Alex) delivers. I saw her in the Lord of the Rings Prequel, but she shines here in a complex role that goes on an emotional journey. Marge simpson as a force of nature act was unexpected. Alyssa Milano showed her range (can you believe how far she's come?)

Only watch this move if you are ready for an intense look at an incredibly "real" look into the complex world of childhood. There is no right way to come of age, but no one deserves Alex's path. Which creates an incredibly powerful journey following a young woman trying to find her way in a complex world. Amazing plot twist at the end. Wow.