This Is Your Song

Welcome back real filmmaking, I thought while watching this film. It's an impressive cinematic achievement since most of the story is done in two long takes. But this impressive feat still serves the story not the other way around. The story focuses on a relationship between two emotionally-scarred and passionate artists. Their Bohemian dreams haven't panned out the way they were expecting and it is time to take stock of their relationship. Briana Walsh and Jordan Potch are excellent in the emotional tug of war between their characters. You can see their desires, love, passion, and pathos play out in dialogue reminiscent of classic American dramatists like Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller. This film has a classic feel to it in its lighting and set design. The long takes never feel stagey or call too much attention to themselves because of the capable camerawork and the focused direction of the director, Hassan Said. How he blocks a scene and the subsequent changes in lighting makes this cinematic, not just a theatrical experience. But it's the two characters that make this film a moving experience. They embody what Kerouac would call mad to to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time. Their emotions turn on and off like the neon street signs outside their windows. If you enjoy classic films, smart dialogue, and innovative filmmaking, this is a film to watch.

There's a moment, fleeting and poignant, or wretchedly ubiquitous: that could be ripped from the pages of the lives of anyone who watches this film. Any moment really. There's an uncomfortable familiarity to the intertwined lives of Jules and James as they arrive at the end of a long and tumultuous journey. Sometimes you might even feel as though they are our avatars. Through long uncut shots and emotive mood lighting, we go through it all. It's a visceral enough story that will resonate with most viewers. It's far from a smooth ride. This film can cut deep at times. These aren't likable people crafted for corporate media, they're real people. They're actors of course, although they embody their characters' truths so well, at times Jules and James appear to be the focus of a stylized documentary. This one hits home. Standout performances by Jordan Potch, Joanna Kay, and Briana Walsh.

Holy cow! This film is just exceptional! Lets begin with the acting because if that sucks we're all done right??!! The two leads were out of this world incredibly good. Their chemistry was sensational. This is what held me and kept me glued in. Great casting for sure, my hats off to the casting director. This is wonderful storytelling on every level. Bravo to writer/director Hassan Said! I found zero flat spots in this gem of a film. Loved the pacing it moved along at a really nice pace. Clearly this film gets a thumbs up from me. Well done folks! You should all be very proud of yourselves on this very fine film you all have produced!!

Crafting a genuine portrayal of a relationship on the brink of its end presents substantial challenges. The authenticity required often exposes the messy aspects of human connections, risking the portrayal of characters as too flawed and consequently unlikable or unrelatable. However, the filmmakers of "This Is Your Song" skillfully navigate this delicate balance. The characters, though flawed, remain authentically human, and their pain resonates, creating a relatable narrative throughout. In essence, "This Is Your Song" offers much to applaud. The film is a testament to the filmmakers' ability to maintain a captivating narrative within the challenging constraints of a single-take technique. Without a doubt, it's a movie that deserves to be experienced.

The challenges of making a realistic film about a relationship near it's end are considerable. Capturing the truth means showing a lot of mess. And when you have mess, you run the risk of making the characters so flawed, they become unlikable or unwatchable. But the filmmakers here manage to pull off the balancing act. These characters are real and we feel their pain. But they also remain relatable throughout. Flawed, but always very human. Add to this the movie-making challenge of telling this compelling tale in one, unbroken 97 minute shot. Not easy! Films like Hitchock's Rope and Sam Mendes' 1917 (both single take concepts) are good films. But their energy can drag at times, as cinematic energy is often created through editing. But this movie does a remarkable job of keeping the energy up in that same difficult single-take technique. I think this is achieved by the terrific acting and the director's sure hand. There's much to celebrate in This is Your Song. It's absolutely worth checking out!