Merrick here...
The lovely Film Chic sent in two more reviews from SXSW. This time up: JUMPING OFF OF BRIDGES and KINKY BOOTS.
Here's Film Chic...
Film Chic here again with another dose of SXSW finery to share. Today was a little light on films because of some crazy cool bands playing tonight, but here's what I saw...
JUMPING OFF BRIDGES
Shot locally in Austin, this film follows the lives of four high school kids who are having to deal with the suicide of one of their mothers. Each friend deals with it differently, from depression to comforting to avoidance to slight violence. It feels real after it gets going for a bit, and the acting is quite surprisingly good. But it does take a bit for the story to find its rhythm. With that said, when it does find that rhythm, it is excellent.
What's more touching is that the writer, Kat Candler, wrote the script based on her own high school experience. It was her friend's mother who committed suicide, so the story is quite close to her. Apparently, at the first screening, two of the other friends were there. Unfortunately, the boy whose story serves as the main plot passed away last year. It was heart wrenching to watch Kat try to explain this when asked about the real story.
I hope that this film gets an audience because many people at the screening were with suicide prevention services, and they all felt that this movie told the story of how suicide affects the people left behind honestly and effectively. Good luck ladies!
And then I shifted gears fiercely for the second film of the day.
KINKY BOOTS
Set in Northampton, England, KINKY BOOTS tells the story of a failing shoe factory and what it's new owner is willing to do to get the business back on track.
When Charlie Price's father dies unexpectedly, he's forced to move back to the small village to take over the shop. Not being his ideal job, he just about gives up on the business when he finds out that the factory had been making shoes for a large order that had been cancelled months before.
Charlie goes to London in the attempt to sell the excess shoes, but is not successful. On the way out of a bar, Charlie runs to the aid of a woman who is being attacked by three men. However, Charlie is knocked out in the scuffle and finds himself in the dressing room of a drag queen...the woman he was trying to save.
Through brainstorming and bargaining and help from all, Charlie decides that what will help his factory succeed is manufacturing stiletto boots that are strong enough to hold a man's weight.
This is one of those films where you know that everything will turn out fine and can basically guess the entire third act, but it's still enjoyable. It kinda reminded my of THE FULL MONTY in that respect, and I love that film dearly. So if you're looking for a delightful time at the theater while watching people with yummy British accents, go see it. You won't be disappointed.
That's all for me tonight. Tomorrow will be spent drinking in the streets of Austin while wearing my Tipperary hurling jersey and singing all the Irish songs I know. Perhaps I'll fit in a film or two. If you see me on the streets, give me a kiss, because I'm at least slightly Irish...but aren't we all on St Patty's Day?
