Notice to Quit

Greetings again from the darkness. The distance between desperation and hopelessness can sometimes be very narrow, although desperate folks can make for interesting story characters thanks in part to the unexpected actions one can take when not thinking clearly. In his first feature film, writer-director Simon Hacker tackles a desperate man, only he kicks things up a notch by including a surprise visitor.

Andy Singer (Michael Zegen, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) is our desperate man. His landlord is promising to evict him if he doesn't pay four months of back rent by the end of the day. Andy is sweating from both the sweltering city heat as well as the pressure to close a deal and pay his rent. Just when he is frazzled to the hilt, his ten-year-old daughter Anna (Kasey Bella Suarez) pops in unexpectedly. Living full time with her mother (Andy's ex-wife), Anna craves time with her dad before she relocates from NYC to Florida with her mom ... not recognizing her bad timing.

Andy loves his daughter, yet has no clue on how to be a father to the exceptionally bright youngster. On top of that, he has no time to devote to her today as his life is falling apart. Andy was once an actor, and gets recognized periodically for a toothpaste advertisement he did. However, these days he's scrambling as a leasing agent in the city, while also scamming a few bucks on the side with a shady appliance reseller. In other words, Andy is a hustler with no game.

Anna tags along all day, and Andy even tries to use her to his advantage a couple of times. She so wants a normal family that she'll do anything to help dad. The two of them work in a stop to see Andy's dad (Robert Klein), and it's a reminder that things are tough (and hot) all over. The day works out about how you'd expect for a guy like Andy (it's not a Lifetime Channel movie), and by day's end, he wonders if he deserves the love Anna shows him ... or is he simply the sweaty guy in a coffee-stained dress shirt trying to make ends meet.

On a side note, for any sports fans out there, retired NBA player Gordon Hayward is a Producer on the film (it's his first film credit) In theaters on September 27, 2024.

What an impressive film. The acting was excellent. Better. If I had to critique anything, I wonder if estate agents are that pressed in real life, and who are these appliance thieves that show up out of nowhere? If that is all I got, it only shows WHAT A GREAT FILM THIS IS!

I am so impressed. I switch fast if acting looks forced or generic or has no depth. Everyone was spot on. That is so hard to do. As an example, people go nuts of Top Gun Maverick, but I could not get passed 5 minutes. Same with Gladiator, and I love Peter Weir's work, but not that.

A fantastic film. Everyone should be proud of their work.

There is a fairly strong story here with some good scripting and acting. Interesting characters that are rather shallow.

The movie takes place over a single day a father and daughter romp around the city of New York. There is a lot going on in the background as one would expect from a story that moves throughout a city.

There is heavy use of stereotyping and troping but it feels like the story is building towards something. Then it just sort of ends.

Nothing has shifted. The father makes a few empty promises to his daughter, an air conditioner predictably falls out of a window and the credits roll with neither of the two main characters getting what they wanted.

Quite the depressing ending to what was otherwise a whimsical comedy.

This is a refreshing Indie film without the cliche , tiresome , heavy handedness, of most new films today. There was no preaching or teaching, just good old fashion cinema, a film you can watch and enjoy , with great acting and great direction. There are five stars here that are worth noting: 1. Michael Zegen- carries this film through it's arc, with comedy and intensity perfectly balanced.

2. Kasey Bella Suarez- Movie Debut- she is a stand out , incredible performance.

3. Michael Angelo Covino- Hilarious.

4. Simon Hacker- Directorial debut, He daringly chose to film on 35 mm, film is beautiful to watch 5. New York City- Its' been awhile since we've seen you filmed so deliciously, your personality , beauty and grit is captured perfectly.

While this film may not align with my typical preferences, I was pleasantly surprised by its strong execution. The cinematography, production design, and post-production work were top-notch, creating a visually engaging experience. The pacing was well-balanced, keeping me entertained throughout, with only a minor lull towards the end.

While the writing and character development could have been stronger, the film's technical aspects and overall entertainment value make it a worthwhile watch. The main character, though flawed, was intriguing to observe. The climax, while a bit predictable, was still satisfying to witness.

Overall, this film offers a unique and enjoyable viewing experience. While it may not appeal to all audiences, those who appreciate well-crafted visuals and a decent storyline will likely find it entertaining.