moviewriterlaca

This film has a huge heart. Its strength lies in the three leads, Chrissy Metz, Wyatt Oleff and Fin Argus. It's understated, authentic and thank goodness didn't devolve into an Afterschool Special.

My only beef with the film was that they set up the possibility of the younger son confronting the doctor responsible for turning his mother into an addict but didn't deliver. The heartache that the brothers endured as a result of their mother disappointing them time and time again was real and I ached for them.

One subplot was a great example of subtext dealing with the youngest brother dealing with his sexuality but unable to truly express himself because he was trapped in a small town. Oleff handled the scenes like a true pro. Understated and poignant.

We need less superhero movies and more stories about the subject.

I love Sean Baker. He encapsulates the indie spirit of the 80's and the 90's with edgy stories and situations that are a bit uncomfortable.

From the transgender hookers of Tangerine, to the Motel Children of The Florida Project, to the porn star turned talent manager of Red Rocket, Baker continues to cross the line and is unflinching in realistic portrayals of the underbelly of society.

Baker conspires with lead actor Simon Rex to create a lovable but loathsome aging porn star who comes home to Texas because he has nowhere else to go, and that means begging and whining his way into his wife's home.

Rex plays Mikey to the hilt and levels lives faster than an F5 tornado in a town that reeks of desperation and resignation. His grooming of a possible up and coming female adult film star is charming, sad, yet despicable. ("Strawberry's" age was more than troubling to me, but it happens.) There are moments where you can tell that Mikey wants to truly love his protege, but he needs to pay the bills. You can see the hope in his eyes. You can see how his protege loves the attention and will do anything to take things and her budding career to the next level.

The actors and the first-time actors create a vivid ensemble that is heartbreaking to watch. Rex is hilarious at the beginning then heartbreaking as desperation sets in as his plans unravel.

Warning: this is raw, gritty, and zero is left to the imagination. Rex gives "Run, Forest Run" new meaning. This won't be playing on Disney + anytime soon.