This semi-autobiographical Indie is set just after the suicide of Nirvana front-man, Kurt Cobain. Siblings Thomas and Bridget Harrison come of age in the mid-1990's in the midst of grunge, depression, mental illness, and Prozac. Thomas is committed to starting his own alternative band. His artist sister takes a much different musical route as an escape. Developing the alter-ego of male, black rapper, Bri Da B, she gains a fervent local following. There are excellent performances in this film. Michaela Cavazos (Bridget) and Conor Proft (Thomas) manage to convincingly play high schoolers, and Harry Hamlin and Kathryn Erbe are perfect choices for the aloof, semi-disengaged parents. And of course, there's the music which permeates everything.
This isn't a feel-good coming of age movie. It is a brutally honest look at teen angst and mental illness in the age of grunge and unwavering belief in the pharmaceutical answer to all life's problems. These characters are flawed, and they wear it on their sleeves or bury it beneath the façade of achievement and success. There are moments which tear at your heart and thankfully, enough comic relief to keep the viewer from falling into despair. Almost a character itself, the music is insightful and worth a listen on its own merits. The music of Bri Da B has a good beat and deliciously ironic lyrics. Written and directed by William Dickerson, this emotionally charged film shouldn't be missed.
This isn't a feel-good coming of age movie. It is a brutally honest look at teen angst and mental illness in the age of grunge and unwavering belief in the pharmaceutical answer to all life's problems. These characters are flawed, and they wear it on their sleeves or bury it beneath the façade of achievement and success. There are moments which tear at your heart and thankfully, enough comic relief to keep the viewer from falling into despair. Almost a character itself, the music is insightful and worth a listen on its own merits. The music of Bri Da B has a good beat and deliciously ironic lyrics. Written and directed by William Dickerson, this emotionally charged film shouldn't be missed.