Jumping Off Bridges

Sorry, it's been a hectic couple of days. I wrote all day yesterday and then today I found out my landlord is selling my condo out from under me and I have less than 2 months to find a new home. I'm low income and have 3 cats. This is not going to be easy.

But anyway. . .

I found this film absolutely brilliant. I didn't really know what the topic was going into it, so was surprised to discover it was an adult and not a teen suicide film.

I suffer from depression and PTSD so the wife's struggle was a very painful one to watch. I knew from the first glimpse of her face--blunted affect--that she had depression. I've seen that look in the mirror too many times. Despite that, her suicide was shocking.

What followed was a collection of some of the most touching, naturalistic and believable performances I've seen in a very long time.

Of course Michael broke my heart as the meek, pushover Dad just trying to maintain an even strain and keep everyone happy. The Peacekeeper. There's one in every family. The older brother who was angry, particularly by Zak's stunned silence and black depression in reaction to his mom's death. With the family alone, we see three different stages of grief. Cleverly written.

Bryan Chafin's performance (as Zak) was seamless and painful to watch. Throwing out all his belongings, then painting his room black. Withdrawing from everyone and everything. I recognized every inch of his reaction. And poor Frank, trying to keep the peace and hold everything together. To finally open up and share his grief with his son near the end was perhaps Michael's finest moment as an actor. Second to that was his tearful scene in the mens room which had me sobbing.

The bridge jumping aspect was interesting and it was fun to watch the young people obviously enjoying the filming and working together on this important piece. It was a nice compliment to the dour subject matter and added another dimension to the performances of the young actors.

One of the supporting characters of special note was Savannah Welch as Zak's girlfriend, Grove. I want to see this young lady continue to pursue her craft. She has already realized the art of stillness, something far older and more experienced actors never get. She reminds me of a very young Linda Fiorentino. Vibrant, sensual, smart and charismatic. Watching she and Zak was like seeing the birth of something very important. Young people already well on the road to becoming actors of great merit.

The weaker links acting-wise were Katie Lemon as Lindsay and Glen Powell Jr. Both good looking, eager kids, but without that inner stillness Welch and Chafin demonstrated. Their scenes were more like watching little kids pretending to be adults, but the words are too hard.

I love stories about redemption. This one was exceptional. I only wish it had a wider release since I think schools and churches should offer screenings. While the film offers no answers about depression and suicide, it does address the agony of loving someone with mental illness and the cost to go on living when that person takes their own life.

A bonus for me was Writer/Director Kat Candler who was a student of Michaels back in his Fine Arts teaching days. Inspired by four of her childhood friends, she came up with this character-driven story that is both hard to tell and hard to watch. I'm touched that Michael would step into such a low budget project as a favor to a former student and impressed that he has a taste for gentler, smaller stories that won't pack theater seats. It says volumes about him as a professional and as a person.

So, on the whole, two thumbs way up for "Jumping Off Bridges." I look forward to seeing more of Ms. Candler's work, as well as Mr. Chafin and Ms. Welch.

You're right, Mythic, he was! But he was much younger. It was cool seeing him nearly grown up in this film.

That's why the film hit me so hard, too. So many bad memories from my family, where depression and bipolar are as common as dirt. The movie dealt with it all so very well.

And yes! That's it. You nailed it: quiet courage!

Can you order from Amazon.com? Or would the cost be too prohibitive? I've ordered a few things from .uk myself, so not sure if it works the other way around. And Jumping Off Bridges is only available through the production company's site for the film.

Hey there

thanks guys.

I could order of Amazon.com but then there's the problem of it being region 1 and I need region 2 I shall keep looking.

Blessings

Rhi xxx

Just letting you know that both "Jumping Off Bridges" and "Ready?OK!" are region free.