Transatlantic Coffee

In this exploration of profound loneliness and loss, Erik Peter Carlson miraculously has made a life-affirming, even inspiring film. Seamless camera work, gorgeous art direction/cinematography and truly challenging scenes help to bring us deep into the mind of an eccentric man who chooses an eccentric way to heal from his extraordinary trauma. Carlson has made a movie that subtly captures the essence of what we all love about cinema...that singular carnival ride that transports us into someone else's life experience.

My name is Randy Becker and I run NexTV Entertainment. We get thousands of submissions each year from emerging artists trying to make a mark on the list of significant industry players that we bring to our panels. TRANSATLANTIC COFFEE stands out not just because of the cohesive and compelling aesthetic or the challenging and topical subject matter, but because, at its core, it tells us a great story...one well worth experiencing.

-Randy Becker NexTV Entertainment

It's very difficult to summarize what "Transatlantic Coffee" is all about. It's a very complex film that engages heavily on an intricate character. Let me just say this from the start - it is not for people wanting to see a sweet love story. End of story.

I saw the film at a festival in New York after reading information on the film through the festival's web site. It seemed like a very odd story, which is something I'm always attracted to. I didn't have a date, so I went alone ...which probably ended up being a good thing.

As I prepared for the movie to start, I realized I knew nothing about this film. This is rare for me, as I am a film review buff. I really didn't know if I was going to laugh, cry or be seriously depressed. The theater was pretty full, as I believe it was the first evening the film was screening at the fest. I wondered if any of these strangers around me knew anything I didn't about what we were all about to see. The lights went out ...then, all of the emotions mentioned above occurred, and then some.

The film is slow paced, which I believe was done on purpose as it is driven primarily by Kevin Pinassi's performance as Alex. Let me tell you something, he is brilliant. I can't imagine anyone else playing that part after watching his performance. I was hoping he'd be available for a question and answer after the screening, but he wasn't. He knocked my socks off, and I have yet too find them.

The mood of the film can only be described as creepy, dark and at times, very disturbing. This is accomplished by the amazing performances, the truly unique and unpredictable direction and writing of Erik Peter Carlson, and the dream-like cinematography through the film. Carlson has a way of making you feel the film will go in one direction, but like a sly magician, takes you somewhere you never knew existed.

90 minutes into Transatlantic, there were times where I was shocked, confused and sometimes appalled by what was shown on screen, but at the same time, I was completely involved. I had no idea whatsoever what was going to happen next. By the 90 minute mark, I said to myself "I like this film". Then came the final act, which was not only a huge surprise to me, but obviously to the rest of the audience as well. There were plenty of gasps and seat shifting. At this point, I said to myself "I really like this film." I can't remember another time where there was so much discomfort in a room full of people.

The lights came up as the credits rolled ...and nobody moved. I don't think a single person left until the final credit faded off the screen. At this time, the woman next to me who was with a date, muffled, "Well, that was brilliant."

There's a lot to watch and understand in Transatlantic Coffee for a picture with very few characters and settings. It's very vague (which will be annoying to some) and makes you work very hard in interpreting what you just watched. This surely will not be for everybody. Don't leave upset thinking you missed something that the others in the theater caught on to - you didn't. For the ones who liked it the first time around, I guarantee you'll want to see it again so you can pick up on the small pebbles Carlson tossed around, purposely making it the task of the audience to make their way home.

Some will like this challenge, others simply will not. I did.

So... the negative first, because that is how I roll. This movie is a mess. The writing is all over the place. The supporting actors, many of them, seem like they have never actually acted in a movie--or anywhere else, for that matter-before.I would give this movie tow stars. But! One thing absolutely saves this thing, and that is the lead. Pinassi is just stupidly good. I'd be very curious to see him on stage, because his subtle, nuanced performance plays perfectly on the big screen. Wonder if that would transfer to a live performance. Just... the stillness. The ability of this guy to express so much in a *look*. That is rare.

Whatever, I hope to see more from Pinassi. Will be on the lookout.

Erik Peter Carlson's "Transatlantic Coffee" is anything but your typical boy-meets-girl story. Alex (Kevin Pinassi), the guy in this tragicomic love story set in post-9/11 New York, is a middle-aged Brooklynite who's seemingly got some major problems. Life improves big time when he hooks up with Mandie (the delectable Rachel Marie Lewis), a teen-aged stripper from London. The results are thought-provoking and anything but predictable. This highly polished effort reveals a filmmaker and a young actress of some promise, and it's no surprise to me the film is being well-received on the festival circuit. Unlike so many films out there, it's fresh and original, and doesn't play like a rehash of something you've seen before.

Watched this film on Prescreem.com the other night after hearing about it from a Twitter friend. I usually don't do reviewes on movies but I thought this film deserves to be heard.

In an American market of highly commercial, audience appealing pictures with typical subject matters, special effects and bland characters (just look at today's movie listings) this film takes all of that and flushes it. It's obvious that the filmmakers had a vision and went with it, not worrying about what the American public is familiar with. This film is something to be experienced and I mean that.

As the film starts, you'll notice the unique way the story will be told, with it's long takes, allowing the actors on screen to become real. The writing is deep and has so many moments of "Wow, that is so true". The actors in the film, Kevin Pinassi and Rachel Marie Lewis, whom I have never seen before on screen. do a tremendous job. They are fearless in their approach.

As other reviews mentioned on this page, the music and visuals are something you usually don't see in a low budget movie. Everything down to the costumes and the setting of the main character's apartment are so real, you feel you've been living there yourself by the end of the movie.

The direction and writing of the movie is very well done. The ending, although a great surprise to me, may have others catching on somewhat early in the film, but the way the story is told, the way it's designed as a whole, simply convinces you that these are real people, in a real world, experiencing real subject matters. I give this credit to the director, Erik Peter Carlson and the producers who have accomplished something that proves that independent film is something you need to be involved in, for no other reason than to realize that there is much more than special effects in cinema.

The movie is very intense with scenes that make you shiver, for many reasons. However, I never feel it's done in bad taste, but to bring you into the moment and into the lives of these characters, mostly the main character.

To conclude; it's an extremely well done movie that has all of the elements any great movie should contain; a great story, compelling characters, it stimulates many emotions, has the compelling "wow" factor and forces you to watch it again. Great job.