Indie Film Review “Third Wheel” Being cast aside by love takes a dramatically edgy, pertinent, and ultimately affecting road
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
There was that song. From 1970. Yeah, it was Neil Sedaka’s “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”. Well, it goes without saying, doesn’t it? It’s happened to us all, perhaps multiple times over. No matter what the circumstances that caused it, much less whose fault it was, there’s the associated pain and frustration that is present, unavoidable, and so often, lingering. However, is this by our OWN decision, unwilling to liberate ourselves from its clutches, wallowing in misery instead of JUST MOVING ON?
The precise dilemma being faced by one young man, a Millennial named Ray (Anthony Casabianca), who’s just had his world shattered by now EX-girlfriend of his dreams, Cecelia (Kailey Tamarkin). Broken and making said choice to let it ruin all he is, even as others around him try their best to shake him out of the funk, things aren’t made easier when his best friend Coco (Kelsey Tarantino) and her beau Alex (Ricky Lavezzi) make things harder for Ray to be around, an example of happiness in love that he now doesn’t possess….and wants to rediscover.
Next, my Mind:
Making a film of ANY sort, whether a short or full-length project, is simply HARD. When speaking of it from a grass roots INDIE level, it’s even harder. Yet, when writer/director/producer/editor Blake Tamarkin reached out to me about reviewing his DEBUT feature film, stating, and I quote: “Ulta-low-“no” budget. 18 shooting days. Free locations. Friends and family as my actors. And lots of FAVORS from my home town in Chicago.”, it set up some potentially pre-conceived expectations for me. Then I watch the film. Yes, the production overall is straightforward, yet NOT spartan by any means. Yes, apparently the actors in the film are all relatives, family, and friends, yet NOT remotely amateurs. And those favors granted by Chi-Town? Well, in this critic’s opinion, they paid off. The final product viewed really comes across FAR more professional in general quality than I would have anticipated given that aforementioned declaration above, and I feel it therefore warrants praise alone for becoming ANOTHER stellar example of character and story-driven cinema that’s entertaining AND wholly relevant, a human tale that we’ve ALL experienced.
Creating alongside producers Michael Tamarkin and Paige Tamarkin, plus executive producer Alex Villanueva-Luna, the narrative follows the absolutely realistic trials of a young Millennial in the throes of heartbreak and the ragged, unsteady, shifting states of mind he endures because of it, both legitimately AND by his own hand. There’s a certain magnitude of underlying tension and unease that this film’s atmosphere creates, which given the grander subject matter and HOW it gets addressed here DOES make sense. I say this in that the portrayal of the hurts accompanying heartbreak are conveyed with an intentionally more serious tone, dynamically dramatic, as opposed to some films of this topic that manage to make it more a rom-com air. Now, I will say there are plenty of instances in this effort that ARE quite witty, but it isn’t ultimately the PRIMARY gist of the events depicted. It all remains much more grounded, believable, and willing to NOT shirk away from showcasing that break-ups, especially with someone you truly believed was THE one, freaking punishes you within. Frankly, I appreciated this approach for the particular narrative delivered.
As you can imagine, and as I always at least strive to do in my ventures and perspectives via film criticism, the thematic explorations illustrated in this effort are legion, and rightly, requisitely so! The concepts of love vs. lust, being blindsided by someone we love, having to encounter singleness again, our new addictions and coping mechanisms we turn to when overtly upended, having to FACE our mistakes, yet not actually wanting to DEAL with them, turning away the advice of those who care about our wellbeing, thinking WE still know HOW and WHY we feel the way we do, the need to embrace letting go and moving forward, how we might still end up sabotaging something GOOD for us because of our still-present hang-ups over the foundational situation, finally being open to change, being envious of other’s happiness, NOT letting the past sneak up again and keep us prisoner, and coming to the realization that perhaps the FIRST thing we SHOULD actually do….is fix OURSELVES. All of this is found here, and again, done so in a manner that is just SO conspicuously persuasive and TRUE to real life. THAT is the excellence of films like this. Credible. Even profound. IF you let it be.
I think that’s why I then so deeply appreciated the way the film’s finale plays out. It ISN’T (or at least, maybe so) where you would normally think the scenario might end up. But it is logical and cathartic to the point of not only are we satisfied with it, but it leaves you with that feeling of hope that life DOES get better when we’re willing to step out, take that risk, and allow healing for ourselves to happen. The opportunities that might arrive in the wake of it could be even more amazing and fulfilling, which I felt the finale here sets up wonderfully. The magic of ensemble casts is on full display here and to great effect, starting with Casabianca as Ray, a young 20-something who has had the joy of his forever love in his life for many years….until she isn’t anymore. Reeling from the betrayal and burying himself in a virtually depressive state, everyone around him attempts to pull him from the pit, but most with poor or no results. As ray keep confronting all the myriad of emotions he is, being around his in-love best friends only exasperates his “condition”.
How things will, or will not, turn around for Ray is the cornerstone of the character’s story, and Casabianca brings that “everyman” persona to the role in a way that just engages you, finding times you totally support Ray and other times you just want to throttle him in the choices he’s making. It’s that full amount of authenticity that Casabianca infuses his performance with that makes it so worth watching in every heartening and maddening instance Ray gets involved in. Primary supporting roles are MANY, first from Jason Tamarkin as Bird, Ray’s playfully deadbeat brother who, in spite of his own quirkiness, is one hundred percent trying to bring his bro OUT of the mess he’s making for himself in the wake of the breakup. Bird is both comedy relief yet then a solid voice of reason for Ray throughout, and Tamarkin plays it to a “T”. Kelsey Tarantino plays Coco, one of Ray’s best friends who likewise tries her level best to make Ray see the light while also being an unintentional source of angst for him when her beau comes to visit, their evident love starts grating on Ray in his loneliness. I loved Tarantino’s matter-of-fact but genuine caring attitude for Coco.
Ricky Lavezzi is Alex, Coco’s boyfriend, who ends up turning into a rather interesting new voice of conscious and positive influence on Ray as the pair become better friends during the times they hang out. Alex’s concern for Ray and pushing him to get out of his own head and hang-up with the past is sincere and trustworthy, and I love the breezy yet intentional manner in which Lavezzi imbues the character with charisma, wit, and intelligence that befits the story. Carly Wilson is Lindsay, a HUGE breath of fresh, charming, sassy, and crazy cute air for Ray during his sojourn through sadness, a possible cure for it, and at minimum, someone whom he might actually learn something from….how to have tenderness and FUN with a woman again. I just need to say that I DARE anyone watching this film to NOT COMPLETELY fall in love with Wilson, who just exudes this delightfully innocent, alluring, yet vulnerable aura through her portrayal of Lindsay that captivates you with total ease. Kailey Tamarkin-Little is Cecelia, Ray’s originally long-standing girlfriend who becomes the catalyst for his undoing when he discovers she may not be so loyal.
It’s an interesting role to play, only in that you also find the character one you initially hate because of what she’s done to Ray, but then MAYBE comes around to be a sympathetic character to some extent later on. You decide, but in the meantime, Tamarkin-Little makes for a necessary presence the character represents with poise and credibility through her performance and amount of screen time. Additional supporting appearances are made by Michael Tamarkin, Jimmy Christopher, Vince Genova, Ray Schuler, Travis Little, Paige Tamarkin, Lauri Tamarkin, and Taylor Tarantino. So, in total, “Third Wheel” takes its title, and its premise, to heart, painting an unflinching look at broken love, its impact, what we lose, how we fall, handle, and see our way through it, what we gain, lessons we get taught, and how we can end up coming out the other side the better for it. And hey, you might be tempted to say “Can anyone REALLY adore and enjoy an ultra-low-“no” budget, filmed in only 18 days, made with family, friends, and favors”-based indie project?? Nobody likes “cheap” entertainment!” To which I say…..”TRY me!” More importantly, try this film.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
