AVA: A Twist in the Road

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!

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.

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.

I love that the writer/director/producers or whoever decided to tell the story with mature actors, using issues people must face as we age. Too often movies overlook these issues and struggles. I really appreciate that this film has a strong female lead, who is also older, which we don't see in many movies. One thing that the mainstream film industry constantly fails to do is make films about older people. AVA: A Twist In The Road is a great indie gem that the big studios could learn from. Thanks to the filmmakers for making this movie and for showing the world we can still find hope at any age.