The Looking Glass

Yes, this film, which I found at my local library, covers all the indie bases and can get a little melodramatic, but overall I found it to be a touching and heartfelt drama. I would guess you'll need a couple of hankies nearby as the movie reaches its finale.

Two terrific performances here by the two leads, Dorothy Tristan (who also wrote the screenplay), and newcomer Grace Tarnow. Tarnow portrays the emotionally fragile 13-year-old Julie, who after her mother died and her inability to get along with her father and new stepmother, will travel from Pittsburgh to a small town in Indiana to stay with her grandmother.

Tristan plays the headstrong grandmother Karen, who's a former film star. This coming-of-age tale will center on the relationship between the two, which gets off to a very rocky start, but, in time, they will find a mutual linchpin in their talent and artistry which will help cement their ties.

I read that this is Tristan's first film in about 30 years, and that the director John D.Hancock (who is Tristan's real-life husband) is also bringing this film to the screen after a hiatus of more than a decade.

No one is saying this is a perfect movie, but I found much to like here and can certainly recommend it to those that like these types of indies. By the way, the film gets its title from a local theater production of "Through the Looking Glass", in which Julie auditions for the lead role, and where I found the stage presentation of the play to be highly impressive.