WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Sometimes–life just slaps you in the face. You are cruising along, making your way, being who you are, even at the expense of others or their authority. But then reality hits, and suddenly, the easy-going albeit dysfunctional world you inhabit gets shaken up, changed, and twisted around. For 17-year old Jacob Pressley (Conor Donovan), summer has been all about hanging with best friend Ronny (Ethan Slater) and getting into typical teenage trouble. A broken home life with his father David (J. Dixon Byrne) and his newest fling only serve to aggravate and distance Jacob more and more from responsibility. This is until new circumstances are forced upon him via getting moved to his half-sister Julie’s (Alexis Dziena) apartment in NYC, much to his chagrin and her overtly joyous and honest intent to make him a better person.
Of course, the other caveat–Jacob’s requirement to see a psychiatrist and talk out his issues. Still hard-headed and bitter at existence, he escapes to the streets of NYC and chances upon a somewhat kindred spirit in graffiti artist Sam (Andi Matichak), who quickly lets him know where he stands as both an aspiring artist and as a person. Soon, Jacob is swept up into an undulating actuality where the lessons learned can be both severe and revelatory, as his path interacts with everyone from Sam’s beau Damian (Chris Myers) to his psychiatrist Jane (Aynsley Bubbico), the latter having her own personal worth issues thanks to a tumultuous relationship with her domineering husband Ben (Matthew Lawrence). Yet in it all, Jacob realizes whole new facets of himself that illustrate a deeper need simply to know, give, and accept love.
Next, my Mind:
Filled with a blistering sense of the often emotionally brutal realities life can throw at us while tempering it with an innate awareness and recognition that even in these storms there can be an awakening to experiencing more positive choices, writer/director Mike Perrone feature-length indie film makes it abundantly clear for its characters one immutable fact–it isn’t always easy to get there! Packing quite a punch with it’s intensely realistic portrayal of profanity-laden teen angst, the narrative careens forward and spirals through multiple storylines for the viewer to take in, even as all the pieces presented become deeply intertwined, all leading up to a finale that more than puts an exclamation point on the proceedings. Between the overwhelming immensity of NYC to the intimacy of bedrooms, bowling lanes, psychiatrist’s offices, and back alleys, the film just begs you to come along for the character-driven ride.
Donovan most certainly brings his full acting chops to bear in playing Jacob, a problematic, unsettled kid whose unconcealed rage against the world around him, so rarely disarmed, is both grating and engaging. The actor does a fantastic job with this ever-fluctuating dynamic, and watching the transformation in him unfold as the story builds is very solidly done. Likewise, Matichak more than makes her presence known, becoming a voice of both reason and an initial one of love for Jacob, even as she navigates the complexities of her own course. They play off each other’s conflict well, and this remains throughout the film. But, at it’s heart this is truly an ensemble piece, and the necessary, integral characters played by Dziena, Myers, Bubbico, Lawrence, Byrne, and Slater honestly deserve just as many accolades, as they all make up a piece of who Jacob is and who he is being shaped to be. Moments with Jacob’s mother (Sarah Voigt) are key as well.
In total, and despite the copious amount of “F”-bombs this reviewer never prefers regardless of what themes are being explored, “Evol: The Theory of Love” stands as a very candid, gutsy, and human story that shines a light on the susceptible, vulnerable, imperfect beings we are while striving to also demonstrate that when we’re open to encounter and take on change, especially with the help of others who care, love can sincerely and unquestionably overcome.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
