By Dan Mecca
There may be nothing sadder than the life of the average independent film. Every year thousands are made for pennies when put next to even one summer blockbuster. And every year some of them are good enough to run the film festival circuit. Among that batch, a handful get picked up and distributed by film companies.
…Around, written and directed by David Spaltro, is the embodiment of the independent film, and a very fine example of one at that. Made for around $175,000 dollars, most of it swiped on some 40 of Spaltro’s credit cards, the fact that this “little” film even got made is an accomplishment. The story is told, and lived, by a young man named Doyle, played by Rob Evans, an extremely talented young actor who’s uncanny resemblance to actor Ryan Gosling only helps, as he is in most every frame.
Doyle comes from a broken family but continues to hold on to dreams of cinematic prowess, attending a film school in New York City. Unfortunately, when the financial aid runs out so do his housing options, and Doyle is forced to live without a home, spending most of his nights trying, and failing, to sleep in Grand Central.
The first 15 minutes of this film is made up primarily of flashbacks to Doyle as a child. These opening scenes feel unnecessary and the acting is rough in general, most notably the two actors playing Doyle’s parents. The whole sequence feels forced, and certain moments that are intended to develop characters, such as the one in which young Doyle stands up on a table during lunch at school and admits to being racist to a cafeteria full of black kids, come off as awkward and not much more.
But then the title appears on screen and the film finds a unique rhythym and distinct voice. Spaltro is clearly well-read and culturally-aware, not afraid of to flaunt this through his characters. The dialogue is full of altruisms and literary references, which, in a lesser movie, would distract more than impress. The actors clearly know this, side-stepping it by taken their characters very seriously. At the same time, Spaltro recognizes the inherent pretentious of being a “FILM major,” combating it head on in an extremely funny sequence involving a young, idealistic woman describing her film as if she were reciting “The Vagina Monologues,” only adding in every forciable stereotype into the prose. When Doyle calls her out on it, the class sits stunned.
Adding to both the comedy and drama of the film, for the better, is Ron Brice (shown above, on the right) as Saul, a homeless man who befriends Doyle, offering realistic advice and literary muses throughout the film. Some of the film’s most affecting scenes take place in cafe Saul and Doyle eat pancakes (the setting is shown above) to celebrate the victory of earning an unexpectedly high amount of money.
…Around illustrates the promise of writer/director Spaltro and actors Evan and Brice. These three provide the base on which the rest of the film is built on. The writing is sometimes over-the-top and far too wide-reaching and some camera angles occasionally attempt to capture too much in the frame or tilt to far, as though tring to visually prove the film’s rebellious origins. But these are mistakes of ambition and determination, not laziness or anything like it. Spaltro clearly has the eye, and the survival instincts, to make films in the future and if …Around does anything it proves as much.
The films runs at around 104 minutes, about 10 minutes to long. However, this length allows Doyle’s torn relationship with his mother to blossom, and the scenes between mother and son at film’s end are 10 times better than any scenes between them earlier on. Molly Ryman plays Allyson, Doyle’s love interest. Though her character is a tad underdeveloped, her natural beauty and vulnerability give her character a visual depth that feels completely unintentional, which is a large compliment to her acting abilities. With a better character, one can only imagine what she could bring to the table.
The entire tone of the film feels a bit like Woody Allen for a younger generation of technologically-overwhelmed, financially-strained bohemians. Some scenes remind this reviewer of last year’s indie sleeper In Search of a Midnight Kiss, a lovely little romance echoing the simple subtleties of Manhattan.
…Around is a lot rougher than the above examples, but showcases just as much ambition and creativity. Watch for Splatro, it looks like he’ll be around for a while.
Check out for information on the film, and the filmmakers, at aroundthefilm.com.