Walk with Me

There were aspects of this movie that felt frustrating at times because so much of it was really well done. To me it felt like the director (who also wrote the script) seemed to assume that each and every beat needed to be spelled out to the audience, including a few moments where a character would LITERALLY announce what was already obvious to the viewer.

Why these decisions were made, I can't say, but it probably comes down to either inexperience, or notes given to the director by a nervous producer." Luckily, the film was redeemed by many positive attributes, and featured an honesty regarding relationships that was refreshing. And to be fair, they were obviously working with a limited budget, so some things might have been re-done or altered in a bigger production probably just had to be moved on from here.

Anyway, despite a few missteps, where it worked (and was often outstanding) was the overall scene work, the realistic pacing and the realism of the intimacy. And above all, the two lead actresses really carried the film to the finish, bringing you into their characters that felt organic. Both women felt physically and emotionally "real" in their roles, even when occasionally they had to read lines that were a little clunky. The sex also felt (mostly) natural, took it's time, and was imperfect in a way that did justice to the characters.

When other actors would overdo it or add some barely perceptible snark or coolness to their delivery: they didn't. They both just "felt" like were really living inside these roles, and it was also very much evident that the director knew just how to allow them to breathe into their scenes.

The music: The music aspect was integral to the storyline and was surprisingly good! But again, it would have been more effective had the director not leaned on it quite so much.

I Often look for movies that I can relate to. This movie ticked that box. In today's topsy turvy world it can be difficult to find a balance, to find where you will be satisified with your life. This is a story of such a search. The characters meet once then again when they start their relationship. It is tentative at first then they become friends, then more than friends. The progression is emotionally charged every step of the way. Well worth the watch. Those that say the nudity is severe must have been watching a different movie. I only say a hint of nudity. I will probably watch this gem again.

One of the cast members referred to this movie as a "natural musical", and this movie lives up to that claim 100%. It's raw, vulnerable and very personal to the entire crew, which consisted mainly of people volunteering their time - that in and of itself made me love it more. My only critique is that I wished the director would've made bolder choices with certain scenes. That being said, this movie will stay in my heart for a long time.

Devin Dunne Cannon's efforts are not to go without mentioning. She brought an innocent rawness to her role as Amber Evans and did a beautiful job with the personal life choices her character faced.

The soundtrack is beautifully personal, and the songs Bridget Barkan sang did every one of those songs justice well beyond my expectations! She also made it impossible for me not to fall in love with her character, Logan Pierce.

All in all, the entire cast and crew captured deeply personal life changes and choices, making it a movie so many of us can relate to on our own personal levels.

There is a quote "We will regret more for the things you didn't do than for the ones you did" and this movie shows us that. But still, in my opinion, there are big issues in this movie. It's conventional, with a typical plot about same-sex relationships. I wish some scenes weren't so "Hollywood", so cliché like all the passages on the beach or the protagonist sitting on the kitchen floor drawing and the lover suddenly appearing through the bedroom door. The author and director Isabel del Rosal should be bolder, and more daring and build the screenplay closer to reality. This movie was more like an episode of "The Sex and the City"

Walk With Me (2021) was written and directed by Isabel del Rosal. It stars Devin Dunne Cannon as Amber Evans and Bridget Barkan as Logan Pierce.

Amber has left her husband, and needs a place to live. Logan is a realtor who finds her an apartment. There's a chemistry between them, almost from the start.

However, the course of true love never did run smooth. Societal and parental pressures work against the pair.

Forces pushing lesbian lovers apart is not a new theme. However, what makes this movie so good is the superb direction, the skill of the two lead actors, and the fact that the characters they portray are so interesting.

Amanda Walther is a noted Canadian singer and songwriter, and she wrote all the excellent songs in the film. (Logan is a singer, and when she sings in the movie she is dubbed by Walthers.)

We saw this movie virtually as part of Rochester's wonderful ImageOut, the LGBT Film Festival. This film has an IMDb rating of 7.4, which is very good, but based on only five votes. I thought it was much better than that, and rated it 9.