Movie #1917 ........................."Phoenix, Oregon" (streaming - Phoenix film festival)

Movie #1917 "Phoenix, Oregon" (streaming - Phoenix film festival) -- since the phoenix film festival was postponed indefinitely for this year, they are starting to put some of the films on line -- so for $6 I rented this one to watch on my computer and they gave me a few days to do that, and added a digital copy of it someday in the future, and a Q  and A after the streaming live presentation.  I missed that, but watched it on  line afterwards, and I found it quite enjoyable, but very definitely what I would term an "indie" film --- in this case, I mean that the editing could have been a tad slicker, so there were gaps periodically -- a  camera  too long on something, a scene that went a bit too long for the info it was giving, etc.  The whole feel of the film is kind of "slice of life" and very definitely focused on the characters rather than the story, and that's why it appeared to drag at times.  Another big aspect that made it drag is that the lead guy is very quiet, cerebral, and a loner --- kind of just moving from  one job to the next, with very little plan for his  life, until a co-worker of his suggests a dream of his.  He seems to be in limbo .   In that way, it's kind of like some of us are reacting to the sheltering we are doing -- not sure how long it is going to be, so kind of in a limbo, like this guy.  It was great to see Lisa Edelstein as a lead (she is the druggie daughter of Arkin in "Kominsky Method" and  in a ton of other shows like "House" - his girlfriend, etc.  She plays  a complex woman whom he would like to see featuring more prominence in his life but he isn't willing to do anything about moving that along.  The movie had a satisfying ending,  and I would recommend it, but not sure how you would ever see it.. unless it is picked  up by netflix, or .....  I would give this 3.8 out of 5.


"PHOENIX, OREGON"      1 hour and 48 mins      2020    

Two longtime friends battle mid-life crisis by opening a bowling alley/pizzeria in their small hometown.

Director:

 Gary Lundgren

Writer:

 Gary Lundgren

Stars:

 James Le Gros, Jesse Borrego, Lisa Edelstein