Published in: AoBFF 2021

AoBFF 2021 Indie Film Review “One Moment”

Author OneFilmFan

Published on: June 6, 2021

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

First, the Recap:

Best laid plans. We all have that notion inside our heads of exactly how our adult lives would turn out. All the accomplishments we might achieve, dreams coming to pass, the freedom to experience all we’ve desired in a manner befitting the joys of being grown up. Then, reality hits–life DOESN’T always lead us down that path of least resistance and fulfillment. Or, at least not at first perhaps, in the ways we initially or clearly see and appreciate. For middle-aged siblings Caroline (Adria Tennor), Fran (Frankie Ingrassia), Regina (Catherine Nastasi), and Rick (Sal Rendino), adulthood has taken them all in a myriad of directions, each with their own challenges to face.

However, there is one common factor that brings them back together–their now-widowed, aging, mildly cantankerous father, Joe (Danny Aiello). Finding themselves de facto caretakers (some far more than others!) and not always pleased about it, the four of them must discover their own shared connection again and, in doing so, find out that being part of the so-called “sandwich generation”, and simply a family, might not actually be the burden it seems, but rather a source of true bonds, joys, and instances to cherish.

Next, my Mind:

Warm-hearted, wonderfully whimsical, dramatically grounded, wholly relevant, and entirely relatable to anyone who has an aging parent or parents under their watchful care, this intelligently written and beautifully executed dramedy from writer/director/producer Deirdre O’Connor and producer Jodi Weiner , which had its NYC premier as part of the 2021 Art of Brooklyn Film Festival, provides us with an undeniably stirring and charmingly humorous vision of what it is to not only face the realities of parents getting older and the sometimes frustrating circumstances it can entail, but to then adopt newly created foundations of familial trust, love, communication, partnership, and kinship that surpasses all the turmoil of our own lives, instead opening us up to the wisdom and treasured perspectives as only parents can impart and recollections that can last a lifetime.

Very much an exposition on how our lives intersect, interact, impact, and influence each other, the narrative which finds a family brought together for the sake of their recently widowed father in order to address his needs, put up with a plethora of his quite hilarious antics and attitudes, find out many long-kept secrets may not actually BE as hidden as surmised, and rekindle the closeness long since forgotten in the whirlwind of existence moves along with wonderfully-paced purpose and mix of the aforementioned comedic and serious tones and moods that make the film so perfectly engaging from start to finish. There was never a dull moment for this critic, and by the film’s highly apropos finale, I was so overtly swept up in the potency of the messages we can derive from this effort and apply accordingly.

What was additionally effective here is precisely how the film is so smartly conceived through the means it chooses to address such a multitude of thematic threads covering facets of old age both funny and weighty, ranging from old school thinking and manners, Alzheimer’s, the value of levity, the ability to appreciate and learn from shared experiences, the importance of one’s own story and memories and how it can effect and teach other generations, and the sacrifices we make for the sake of family plus, honestly, so much more than can really be encapsulated here in words. It really does take viewing this film yourself to glean the richness of truths and evocative concepts presented here, and this critic just knows it is a tale worth seeing again, which says something in itself.

As I would have expected, and it got more than confirmed in seeing the film, this was for me a magnificently understated yet captivating and definitively entertaining performance turned in by the late, great, iconic acting legend Danny Aiello in his final screen appearance, cementing his legacy as one of the most classic character actors the industry has known. Here he plays Joe, an aging widower who tends to be a bit more of a pain in the a$% initially to his beleaguered adult children than necessary while also having no real filter when it comes to getting into other people’s business. Yet, even as they all have those instances of butting heads, it soon becomes a journey of rediscovery for Joe, even as he maintains his ultimately affable, old style attitude, trying to comprehend and assimilate to what new realities age, singleness, his family, and a changed world around him bring to bear. It’s a masterful atmosphere of hilarity and dramatic flare Aiello brings to the table, as he always did, and he completely dominates the every scene he’s in as only a veteran actor can, with authority tempered with a true humbleness, sincerity, and intense passion for his art. You BELIEVE the character of Joe wholeheartedly, and that is more credit to the level of talent Aiello so constantly delivered. WE WILL MISS YOU, Danny.

Tennor is wonderful in her role as Caroline, one of Joe’s daughters and really his primary caretaker, even as her own life is somewhat strained and frayed because of his needs. Yet, her road to a newfound admiration and love for her father is genuine, and Tennor captures this with realistic ease. Ingrassia is equally, delightfully adept at bringing to vibrant life the role of Fran, another of Joe’s daughters and a woman whose more seemingly carefree outlook can be both a boon and an inspiration. She acts as a foil for Caroline’s initially more pent-up behavior, and watching how Fran helps bring them all together is both witty and poignant. Rendino arrives in the role of Rick, Joe’s only son who has a more than cynical manner towards his sisters, their lack of true success in life, and the concept of being any part of playing caretaker to Joe, thinking that they should relegate him to the care of assisted living. Throughout his appearances, Rendino infuses Rick’s character with a tangible level of arrogant yet playful stance that is very well acted.

Primary supporting roles begin with Natalie Seus as Ellie, Caroline’s daughter and Joe’s granddaughter whom he dotes on, defends, and ultimately connects with as a grandfather should, even as she also manages to be a bit of a familial tattletale along the way. Sioux Madden plays Theresa, Rick’s wife, and someone who we can tell more than tries her best to fit right in with the family while sometimes ending up on the awkward side of confrontations. Sasha Georgette is Maddie, Caroline’s other daughter who arrives with her boyfriend David (played by Michael O’Connor) and have some interesting table conversations and reveals along the way that impact the family. Catherine Nastasi is Regina, Joe’s third daughter and somewhat “estranged” from the family as she lives on the opposite coast and has some rather–odd–choices she makes in life. Other supporting appearances are made by Theodora Loukas, Bill McAndrews, and Bonnie Schneider.

So, in total, “One Moment” is an artistically pleasing, thought-provoking, unreservedly enchanting piece of indie filmmaking that very much deserves to be seen by the widest audience possible, for it should serve as the reminder to us all about the absolute worth of family connection, specifically what our parents (whether living or departed) have instilled within us, adoring the time we have (or had) with them, and preserving all the respect, recognition, and remembrances gained. As the final frame of this film states, and no better way to put it in my opinion–“One moment–it’s here, it’s now. Live it and let it shine.” Can’t think of something more needed in this day and age than a total incorporation of that into our lives.

As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!