Indie Film Review “The Lonely Crowd” A smart, gratifying indie film take on the romantic thriller with some battle of the sexes thrown in for good measure
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Why does dating have to be SO hard?? Does it seem it used to be that being able to find situations that promoted meeting people, having opportunity to get to know them, to truly SEE who they were and make a choice from there was a lot easier?? Now, in a digital age, it all comes about online, where anyone could be anything they wish to project….even if the TRUTH may not always be as sold. Soon, we’re so overtly frustrated and/or cautious, what chance do we really have at finding love?
Peter (Adam Wesley) has about had enough. Failed relationships and falsely advertised individuals in the online world where he’s attempted to discover that special someone again have left him worn out and, of course, lonely. But when his best friend Matt (Blair Chambers) stepping in leads Peter to meet Ashley (Taylor Anne Danehower), things just might be improving. Well, at least until a first date goes wildly wrong, sending Peter on an involuntary adventure into kidnapping, corruption, and murder….plus confronting a serious battle of the sexes.
Next, my Mind:
There’s something to be said for films that, quite simply, are what they are. Mind you, this is NOT some immediate statement that hints it’s a BAD thing to BE such. In a medium where things getting taken way TOO far, trying TOO hard to be something they’re NOT, or otherwise coming up SHORT of what they COULD have been, a film arriving in the aforementioned state can actually be WELCOME. Hence we come to this 105-minute indie feature film from writer/director/producer David St. Clair and producer Jim St. Clair. It’s straightforward, unpretentious, a mix of action, drama, romance, thriller, and even some comedy on a level that is grounded, relatable, AND entertaining. You, the viewer, can (or, I feel, should) find the means to accept it AS what it is. Setting expectations at a realistic level so as to appreciate what the independent film community has to offer, strives to achieve, and more often than not in my personal experience, accomplishes.
Seeing its foundational appeal in crowds both young and older, the narrative sees a humble man who’s just wishing to settle down, see life move ahead, hoping to enjoy this with someone he can finally find real love with, and escape the biting loneliness he’s been facing. Instead, he gets the last things he, or she, anticipates! One could potentially try and argue the events that come about here are so “out there”, “far-fetched”, or even plain silly. However, I would challenge you to not just give this film the opportunity to, again, BE what it is, but realize the sheer joy of absorbing a bit of FUN while also being provided some content that adeptly speaks to the central themes being explored. Sure it is all wrapped in this shell of genre-mashing insanity, but it’s smartly executed, well produced, and designed to be that story you just sit back and relax with. Let me emphasize that last point once more….RELAX, people.
I strongly desire for us as the mainstream filmgoing audience to venture into indie cinema a LOT more, as this critic feels it provides a necessary re-set of mentality towards what good filmmaking is, quite frankly. Here, the forays into the entire notion of online dating and its associated pitfalls, judging a book by its cover, having to realize our own awkwardness or blatantly misguided ideas of how we assess and judge other people, sexism, how we seek something more than “just ordinary”, and being open to really LEARN about who someone is outside of the ingrained assumptions we tend to make, all meld together and form a grander portrait of relationships, love, and the human condition WHILE we are being amused and taken in by the other proceedings happening around it. The bantering and bickering between characters, in the myriad of manners in which this happens, adds this air of dramatic and comedic weight that intermixes with deft precision.
The American Dream, really. There’s even a series of moments that, again I felt, wonderfully channels “The Proposal” which I had a good chuckle from. Do the events lead to a finale you may have seen coming? Sure. Yet, even so, why should you allow this to ruin the ability to be entertained? It WORKS, and befits the story we see, regardless of whether you want to classify it under “it’s all been done before”. There’s at least a solid freshness to the traditional idea of romantic comedy/action/drama to be had here. Ensemble casts usually tend to be the rule of thumb in this style of film, as it allows for main stars to shine while additionally allowing a series of primary supporting cast members have their own time in the sun, whether substantially or briefly. For this effort, it is the typical combination of both, and like I just stated a moment ago, it WORKS.
Wesley offers well-suited leading man looks yet exudes a credibly down-to-earth demeanor and well-utilized, purposefully fluctuating attitude to infuse into the character he plays, Peter, a man only wanting to find inner peace and move on with his life whose battle with loneliness gets him involved over his head with a woman in trouble. In spite of the overwhelming reality he’s suddenly immersed in, can Peter find the means to rise up, become a reluctant hero, AND fall in love with someone he initially ridicules and spites? Wesley provides a solid performance that keeps your attention throughout, even as the character must wade through such extremes in both emotional and physical circumstances. There’s an understated nature to the energy Wesley possesses that also contributes to Peter’s character being one you believe as opposed to making him some kind of veiled “superman” when things get hairy.
Danehower wins you over from the start (even when the character she plays is at times more suspect than sweetheart), oozing charisma, a winning smile, biting sass, and an initially hidden vulnerability that needs a little coaxing to finally come out via her role here as Ashley. The result of an online dating app profile Peter’s friend Matt uses to choose her for him, Ashley is guarded and quite up front on their first date, which goes fully South when a poor past choice comes calling for payback. Soon, thanks to Peter’s own decision to come to her aid, she’s got him embroiled in the ramifications of what she was involved with at one time, leading them both down a road they’d rather not travel. Even as their “relationship” seems anything but civil and totally filled with a building tension between them, might it be love in the air after all? Danehower is no pushover, not playing a damsel in distress (even if afraid of rats!), but rather a woman caught between the life she wants and the past she doesn’t.
Danehower navigates the character through her paces with poise, grace, a strong, empowered front, and, like Wesley, a realistic flair that resonates with you, even when you aren’t totally sold on the character’s motivations at first. Giancarlo Carmona is Jake, Ashley’s ex who has been in prison and the catalyst for every bit of disharmony that comes along, and of course, wants to make amends with her while regaining something else of even greater worth to him. Jon Oshei is Phil, Jake’s partner in crime who takes it upon himself to try and rectify the mess that’s been created by Ashley, while also dragging Peter into the whole affair, therefore complicating matters even more. Not wanting to be the whipping boy of a trio of corrupt people all wanting what they’ve lost thanks to Ashley, Phil’s actions could only spell more upheaval for all involved.
Carmona and Oshei might be playing what some would consider prototypical villains here, but that does not take away from the characters doing precisely what they should be doing…causing you to love to hate them, with the two actors doing a fine job at creating that feeling within you. Primary supporting roles begin with Chambers as Matt, Peter’s best friend whose playful moment trying to help Peter discover love yields results that, unbeknownst to him, are about to take an innocent action down a decidedly crazy, and dangerous, path. Matthew Doman is Det. Barnes, who is most assuredly bent and appears to be Jake’s true right hand in the enterprise they pulled off that crumbled and left them without the prize they’d stolen. Haley Spencer is Diana, Ashley’s younger sister who inadvertently gets drawn into the chaos as things spiral further and further out of control.
Andrew Mena is Charlie, a former school classmate of Ashley’s who works at a small hotel that Peter and Ashley abscond to as they try to sort things out, and who JUST might hold a candle for her as well. Jordan Iverach is Ranalt, the new boyfriend of Peter’s ex whom doesn’t waste much time showcasing what a complete oaf he is. Liana Chau is Michelle, Peter’s ex with whom he is less than cordial with in spite of her best efforts to BE such. Amanda Casarella is Gloria, Ashley’s older sister. Travis Lincoln Cox is Stan, Gloria’s husband. Autumn Pare is Lily, Ashley’s niece. Additional supporting turns are made by Matt Fling, Robert Postrozny, Matt Garcia, Steve Falcone, Emily Kiihnl, Scott Peters, Mackenna Shults, Erin Robinson, Ron Gloff, Christine Schlehuber, Meredith VanCuyk, Tanner Kerrins, Rebel Arent, Olga Kamyshok, Lada C Mimms, Ashley McMullen, Tazhanae Bonds, Alan Lowrie, and a host of others. To you all, as I do with large casts, I say “Bravo!”.
So, in total, “The Lonely Crowd” borrows from multiple genres, blends them together, pours them out, and delivers a nice little romp that engages you with its whimsey, twists and turns, and direct pokes at the online dating world, filled with an indie heart and soul plus a tangible atmosphere of ease and thrills that allows for a very satisfying view.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
