WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Ah, the sweet possibilities that exist when one takes on the mentality that knowledge is power. All the world is but a stage upon which to promote the wonders of truths both profound and trivial. Gaining such knowledge and then taking every opportunity to share it with others, whether solicited it or not, can have consequences or ultimately shine a light on one’s own flaws or buried needs, socially and otherwise. For George (Alberto Diamante), the owner of A Good Read bookstore, possessing a vast treasure trove of intellectual prowess comes almost naturally. Extremely well read and more than adept at presenting his thoughts and opinions, he waxes poetic about anything and everything, with mixed reactions from unwary and/or often involuntary listeners.
But, in debt to However, things begin to change when asked to keep an eye on his friend Nancy’s (Natasha Eloi) teen son Bryan (Andre Colquhoun), who has only one thing on his mind, the beautiful Lisa (Madison Claringbold), with no concept of how to woo her. Resistant at first but then virtually goaded into it via Bryan’s stunned disbelief about George’s own lady love Susan (Sharon Belle), George takes it upon himself to impart copious amounts of Italian-born and literature-fueled wisdom in order to teach Bryan how to win Lisa. The road is a challenge, though, with everything from an obnoxious landlord, Michael (Benjamin Gulka), an ego-driven blast from George’s past, Arthur (Matt Clark), a jealous/overprotective “boyfriend” of Lisa’s, Josh (Alexandre Bourgeois), George’s free-spirited adventurer friend Charley (Malone Ford), and others all vying for his attention, good or bad.
Yet through it all, George, despite the fount of obsessive sagacity he is and the borderline arrogance he exudes, finds it’s himself who ends up learning the most about his own need for acceptance, and more importantly, love.
Next, my Mind:
Keenly sharp in its sophisticated, highbrow, scholarly, cultured dialogue while just as pervasive in the intentionally dry, cerebral, theoretical, conceptual, analytical, literary, and philosophically-based content the humor throughout utilizes, writer/director/executive producer/lead actor Alberto Diamante’s newest indie feature length effort is a true tour-de-force of cognitive insanity mixed with some good ole fashioned silliness that engages the viewer on multiple levels. Smartly filmed in black and white to echo the primary theme’s bookstore-centered locale, purposeful cinematography inside and outside the store benefits from and enhances the mood and atmosphere established by this two-tone format, almost like an ode to the simple text coloration of the store’s products themselves. Also, it relates to the fact that when breaking it down, life is exactly that way itself. Add the funky, catchy soundtrack to it all, and this is the complete package.
Diamante is a total riot as George, presenting a man so deeply ensconced in his own ornery state of being, that it takes a circumstance sharing all of his knowledge via teaching another to make him realize and confront his own imperfections. But, this is still all comedically visited with Diamante’s infusion of Italian-born flare and quick-witted execution of the character. Colquhoun’s Bryan is a fun study in contrasts as the prototypical teen guy, street-wise and generationally smart, but lacking in more fundamental knowhow about life, despite being a child of the information-centered digital age. His introduction to actual books is a clever poke at how modern society has left behind the physical sources of enlightenment for laptops, tablets, and Google. Claringbold’s Lisa is sweet, cute as a button, and a perfect fit for the initially awkward Bryan. Her steadfast, straightforward, and charming demeanor is effective and charming, and Claringbold plays it with a endearing innocence.
A truly massive ensemble cast accompanies these three central leads, and this reviewer is not blowing smoke in saying they all have key moments and/or roles to play here. In addition to the aforementioned Eloi, Belle, Gulka, Clark, Bourgeois, and Ford, kudos are extended to Will King, Emily Brown, Andrew Chapman, Darcy Davidson, Richard Collier, and Steve Rizzo among others. In total, “The Bookstore” is certainly the type of intelligent, socially satiric, yet meaningful comedy that doesn’t come along often, or at least not with such panache and intent. Frankly, it’s simply nice to see something this shrewd, perceptive, and astute be this entertaining.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
