OMAHA (2026)

April 23, 2026

Greetings again from the darkness. Memorable movies need not have a huge budget or special effects. All that’s needed is an interesting story and characters we care about. Screenwriter Robert Machoian (the excellent THE KILLING OF TWO LOVERS, 2020) fully understands this, while Cole Webley’s feature film directorial debut (after many shorts and videos) transitions the story to the big screen in a way that leaves us emotionally drained. It’s one of the obligatory ‘tough watches’ that plays the festival circuit – only this one is extremely well written, directed, and acted.

John Magaro (SEPTEMBER 5, 2024; PAST LIVES, 2023; FIRST COW, 2019) continues racking up his list of strong performances. It’s very early morning (in 2008) when he wakes up his two young kids and loads them, along with the family dog, in the car. Nine-year-old Ella (a shockingly good performance from Molly Belle Wright) and six-year-old Charlie (Wyatt Solis) aren’t told where the trip will lead, but as viewers, that familiar feeling of dread hits the minute dad speaks with the Sheriff, and we understand the family has been evicted. It doesn’t take long for us to figure out dad is not only grieving the loss of his wife (the mother of the kids), but he is also dealing with severe poverty. This combination explains the desperation he works so hard to hide from the kids.

Lest you think this is one big show of misery, you should know that some fun is mixed in on the road trip … a bag of candy here, flying a kite on the Salt Flats there. This father and these kids adore each other, and it’s the remarkably insightful Ella who continually pushes dad for a reason and destination of the trip. In fact, we see most of this story from Ella’s perspective, making things all the more emotional at times. Those distinctly expressive eyes of Magaro allow him to convey so much, despite saying so little. Talia Balsam (“Mad Men”) has a crucial role near the end of the film, yet by then, we are so invested in dad, Ella, and Charlie, that it’s difficult to accept another.

Over the closing credits, director Webley explains the Safe Haven Law and how it applies to the titular city … and how it has since been amended.

Opens in theaters on April 24, 2026

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

SOUTH MOUNTAIN (2020)

May 4, 2020

 Greetings again from the darkness. The grill is fired up and the beer is cold. Friends and family are gathered in the Catskills. Everything seems pretty normal until writer Edgar (Scott Cohen) sneaks off to take a “work” call in the privacy of a back room. We see the reality of his FaceTime call with his mistress Gemma (Isis Massoud), who is in full baby delivery mode. Edgar talks her through it as the midwife does her thing. The delivery and baby are so realistic that I’m fairly certain writer-director Hilary Brougher has included actual footage.

Talia Balsam stars as Edgar’s wife Lila, an artist and teacher. There is a sadness connected to Lila, and it hovers like a curse. Her initial reaction to being told that Edgar is leaving her for a new life is little more than resignation to her own life where she seems to regularly get the short end. Edgar and Lila have a teenage daughter Dara (Naian Gonzalez Norvind), and daughter Sam (Macaulee Cassady) from Edgar’s first marriage. We learn that Talia has previously endured Edgar’s wanderings, though not always gracefully. She also wonders why people are constantly leaving her – a fact of life as kids grow older.

Filmmaker Brougher counts off the days in the corner of the screen for us, and it’s helpful as time jumps a bit … although most days seem eerily similar even after Edgar leaves (he’s still around a lot). This plays out like a passive-aggressive break-up, save for one unpredictable lash-out from Lila – one that is likely a frequent fantasy of wronged spouses. Lila’s close friend Gigi (Andrus Nichols) has breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, and her son Jake (Guthrie Mass) and daughter Charlotte (Violet Rea) add to the teenage angst we see from Dara and Sam. Sam’s friend Jonah (Michael Oberholtzer) has a key role as well – one that starts with sharing a sauna with Lila, and ends where you would imagine.

There is no shortage of movies or real life stories of middle-aged men starting over and “women of a certain age” are left to figure things out. Ties of a long-term marriage run deep and aren’t easily or cleanly severed; and kids, regardless of age, don’t always understand how to be supportive. Cinematographer Ethan Mass (husband to Ms. Brougher) does a terrific job with the visual landscape, as the claustrophobia of the house gives way to the stunning beauty of nature. The acting is superb throughout, and Ms. Balsam (daughter of Martin Balsam and Joyce Van Patten) excels in a rare leading role. If only the material were a bit more complex, she could be in awards consideration. Unfortunately, the restrained storytelling prevents us from connecting to Lila, despite the best efforts of Ms. Balsam. It’s clear Hilary Brougher is a filmmaker with talent, but the message that life goes on, no matter the inconveniences or heartbreaks, is just a bit too familiar and low key.

available VOD May 5, 2020

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson