WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The bonds we find in deep, abiding friendships. It is so often those ties that carry us through the hardest of times, when we need the encouragement, love, understanding, acceptance, and if necessary, even rebuke, of those closest to us. That is the strength of long-lasting connections, which combined with faith in God, can truly weather storms. Additionally, these BFF’s can also think they know what’s ideal for us when life gets mundane. Best friends Tony (Donald James Parker) and Jackson (Royce Henry), have been through plenty of life’s trials together. Over a playfully heated game of chess, Jackson begins to nose into Tony’s single life status in particular, initially to Tony’s annoyance, who wants to be patient for new love to come along.
Overhearing a conversation on relationships at a local diner among 4 women–Stephanie (Marcy Conway), Stacy (Valorie Neal White), Doris (Diana Lenska), and Julie (Diana Schmitt)–Jackson ultimately meets Doris and Julie and cooks up a plan for Tony to meet them both in order to see if any attraction comes about. While Julie is skeptical at first, Doris goads her into taking the chance, and soon, Tony finds himself falling in love with Julie, much to the delight of Jackson and Doris. However, as Tony and Julie’s feelings deepen for each other and their faith-centered love continues to build, a spectre from Tony’s past surfaces, threatening to blow apart the newfound excitement of discovering his new best friend.
Next, my Mind:
Over the last several years, many of the faith-based films released have truly improved in quality, successfully waylaying the cheesy tones and honestly subpar acting for much more seasoned storytelling, in your face faith-based messages, and complete, engaging performances from the actors. With this independent, small budget effort, writer/director/producer/actor Parker delivers an honest, pure, morally-centered story about the ups and downs of human connection while re-discovering love within the scope of a candid Christian message realistically, intelligently, and without compromise. Beyond the simple set pieces or any misgivings you might try to find in any of the actor’s performances, there is more importantly a much needed emphasis on the realities of lies, truths, beliefs, and convictions that anchors the film and challenges the viewer.
And this reviewer actually loved the simple fact that these characters behaved like real people, which is something we don’t always like to face if and when we see a reflection of ourselves in a role we’re watching enacted. Parker and Henry are entertainingly solid, with Henry the close to overbearing but well-intentioned Jackson and Parker the initially hesitant and questioning but overall open to new opportunities Tony. Likewise, Schmitt and Lenska play well off each other, with Schmitt’s emotionally vulnerable and equally hesitant Julie being egged on by the very confident, knows-what-she-wants Lenska as Doris. Add worthy supporting turns by Conway, White, and Kira Cupp as Tony’s granddaughter Madison, it’s a well-rounded foundation.
In total, “Best Friends Recycled” is a good example of truly putting the importance of the message first–sincerely, directly, and fearlessly–in order to then present it via the best possible way to make its impact felt the most–with heart and soul.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
