As a young man's parents' marriage implodes he is sent to Catholic school where he meets the girl of his dreams who leads him down a questionable path and makes him question his faith.
This is a wonderfully written film. It's a film with great dialog. It's a film that is expertly structured. It's a film that largely feels like chunks of it was lived. It makes me wonder what it was like growing up in Chris Merola's house. I am in awe of how Merola crafted the film. I fully expect great things from him in the future.
But for me the perfection of the construction is one of the film's problems, it is so perfectly put together that it kind of feels artifiical. As good as everything is, the film feels like a first feature where the filmmaker puts everything into it because they fear they won't make another film. Its a film that has been so perfectly polished its a work of art and not a living breathing movie, it's a film I admire more than love. I wanted something more real.
There is another minor problem which is the cast seems a bit old to be high school kids. I understand why the cast is a bit older than what they are playing, but at the same time John looks like he's got a much too heavy five o'clock shadow at times.
My nitpicking aside this is a good drama. You will want to see it not just because Merola is going to be a big name in the near future, but also because this is a a film you will enjoy.
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