Move Me No Mountain

Man, let me tell you 'bout this flick, Move No Mountain (2023), a debut masterpiece from the visionary Deborah Richards. It's a gut-wrenching ride, man, takin' us deep into the heart of human despair and desolation.

We meet Jenna Anderson, a real estate agent weighed down by guilt, her soul crushed by the loss of her own daughter. And she does somethin' crazy, somethin' daring, man-she walks away from her cozy life, venturin' into the mean streets of Las Legas. There, among the harsh realities of homelessness and strugglin', Jenna goes on an emotional odyssey, man, a journey that'll shake ya to the core.

Deborah Richards, she's got that touch, that rawness that makes you feel every twist and turn in the story, man. It's like she's diggin' deep into the soul, layin' bare all the pain and hope we carry inside. And Jenna, played by an amazing cast, is a vessel for all of it, man, carryin' the weight of her sorrow and findin' her way through the darkness.

In the alleys and corners of Las Legas, Jenna meets a colorful crew of souls, each with their own story to tell, man. It's like a mosaic of humanity, showin' us the depths of human connections and the struggles we all face. These encounters, they teach Jenna-and us-about empathy, about the strength of the human spirit.

The cinematography, man, it captures the grit and glamour of Las Legas, juxtaposin' the glitter with the shadows. It's like the lens is showin' us the truth, revealin' the beauty and the ugliness side by side. And the music, man, it's like the soundtrack of our souls, resonatin' with every beat of the story.

Move No Mountain, it's a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit, man. It's makin' us question ourselves, our choices, and how we relate to others. Deborah Richards, she's got this gift of makin' us look deeper, man, askin' us to see the hope even in the darkest moments.

This flick, man, it's like a trip, an emotional journey that'll leave ya spellbound. Deborah Richards, with her debut, she's showin' us she's got somethin' special, man. It's a flick that sticks with ya, makin' ya ponder life and the people we meet along the way.

In the end, Move No Mountain is an emotional whirlwind, man, a flick ya don't wanna miss. So buckle up, get ready for a ride that'll touch ya deep in your soul, and remind ya of the beauty that lies even in the most desolate corners of our existence.

I've never seen an independent movie set in Las Vegas. What we think of Las Vegas is upended in this empathetic and moving film about one woman's journey from personal tragedy to becoming houseless.

The locations are really impressive and add a lot of character to the story. The cinematography is equally impressive and brings the characters, story, and emotional arc to life.

The story jumps back and forth in time which was confusing at first but then really started to work for me.

Performances are decent overall and the lead actor settles into the role as the film progresses. There are some really nice moments overall.

At times melancholic and other times surreal, this is a solid movie that shines a light on how some may become houseless. It's a sad story but I'm glad there was a happy ending full of hope.

This is a story about Jenna, a successful mom and real estate agent whose life is turned upside down by a tragic incident. Basically, we watch in relatable horror as she spirals out of control and into the underbelly homeless world of Las Vegas. Many scenes are gritty, stark and most importantly, and painfully, very real. At times, you feel so bad it becomes hard to watch, but like Jenna, there is something deep inside that keeps her living and you watching. I think deep inside, just about everyone has a kindle of love waiting to ignite. Some have a raging fire, others soaked in shame and barely surviving. Jenna teaches us to protect that kindle with our lives and never give up. Great story with a great message.

Writer and director Deborah Richards has created an interesting character in Jenna Anderson, played by Cat Lellie. The story is an interesting tale of a woman who chooses to be unhoused. Jenna's overwhelming grief leads her to leave her home and job as she is no longer able to stand living inside. She crosses paths with many likable and unlikable characters who teach her important lessons about how to survive in her chosen lifestyle.

Lellie is able to hold her own as the lead, with many scenes that depend on her acting skill to explore the circumstances the character is placed. She is a strong female lead who carries this movie.

Richards previews enough of the story in the beginning to pique the viewer's interest and curiosity. While the sorry is somewhat predictable, there is a positive feel and a good message.

As an independent film, Richards was able to use her skills behind the camera to make scenes work to make the story believable.

Following Jenna, the lead character after her daughter's accidental death it is pretty easy to root for and develop empathy for her journey into homelessness. I found Jenna's character very believable having worked around homeless ministries in the past and her gradual descent isn't overall graphic or overtly trying to showcase every single trait or obstacle that homeless people (or "street friends" as we know them) face on a daily basis.

A few background characters could have done with less wooden performances but otherwise the cast were solid and engaging throughout the film. Pacing was good and it didn't seem to drop any of its rhythm despite jumping back and forth between the pre-Jenna story and the homeless Jenna.

The cinematography is with out a doubt a high point with good artistic choices in locations, lighting and colour, and while there is a fair amount of narration from Jenna, its hard to be distracted by any of it.

Overall 'Move Me No Mountain" is a very engaging film, which compelled me to want to see both a redemptive ending for Jenna as a character and a climax to the overall story. Definitely worth watching.