AVA: A Twist in the Road

This is a beauty of the indie film world, telling the story of an unlikely lead character who finds herself stuck in a bad situation after a tragedy. Grief is becoming a more talked about topic these days, and this film dives powerfully into that realm, with an effective nonlinear flow of the grief experience, and illustrating the importance of good friends. It offers both a cautionary tale of planning for your future, and an inspiring glimpse of meeting head on what life throws at you. With a dreamy interesting visual style and truthful acting, especially by the films' lead who is also the filmmaker, I enjoyed this unexpected indie gem.

Any good movie begins with the main character. Show us their world, what is important to them and why, and we will be engaged. "Ava: A Twist in the Road" is a demonstration of this. Catherane Skillen, who wrote, directed, and starred in the film makes this abundantly clear by presenting us with an imperfect character that we come to understand and care about. Prompted by best friend Leanne (Tannis Benedict), she moves back into the world hoping to reintegrate and piece her life back together again. The movie depicts life choices I suspect many must face in later years. Nice turn by Sophiah Koikas (as matchmaker Irma). "AVA" is a courageous story that asks what it means to be independent, how to deal with extended families who shun you, and still find your light.

It's a realistic story which many will be able to relate to. It has a good mix of sad and charming. I really enjoyed Catherane Skillen's performance and see in the credits that she also wrote, directed and executive produced the film, which is not an easy task. Kudos to her for this accomplishment! One of the reasons I watch indie films is because a lot of them are based on realistic and relatable stories, unlike many mainstream films today. There are many touching, heartfelt and also awkward moments which will leave you caring for the lead, the supporting characters, and the situations they find themselves in. I cared because I actually know people like Ava, and could emphasize with her heartbreak, loss, sadness and desire to find strength to move on. I feel like one of the takeaways of this film is, "It's never too late"... Never too late to start all over again, never too late to gain your independence and confidence, never too late to let go, reinvent yourself, or start a new life. Another very important takeaway for me was the need to change when your circumstances change; importance of finding strength to overcome grief. The film felt personal in a way because I have a very close relative who was unable to recover and regain himself after loss. Seeing him wither away was a big tragedy. Glad that Skillen's character was able to let go and find inner strength to change along with her destiny.

The film tells the poignant story of Ava, who has spent years with the love of her life, experiencing the occasional ups and downs typical in any relationship. Her life is filled with happiness and contentment until a sudden tragic event shatters her world. The narrative takes a deep dive into Ava's journey as she navigates this unforeseen and challenging new reality, one she never imagined facing.

The storytelling is heartfelt and deeply emotional, capturing the essence of love, loss, and resilience. The lead actress delivers a powerful performance, portraying Ava's inner turmoil and strength with remarkable authenticity. The supporting cast also does a commendable job, adding depth and complexity to the story.

The cinematography beautifully captures the contrasting phases of Ava's life, from the warm, joyful moments to the darker, more introspective times. The film's pacing is well-balanced, allowing the audience to connect with Ava's struggles and triumphs. The soundtrack complements the narrative perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes.

Overall, this movie is a touching exploration of love and loss, and how one finds the strength to move forward in the face of unimaginable challenges. It's a compelling watch that resonates on many levels, earning it a solid 8/10.

A very strong story about loneliness and resilience! I was immersed in the journey and it is refreshing to not be watching the same bland characters that Hollywood puts on the forefront. Love that it focuses on older people. Bravo!