|
MOVIE REVIEW
Walking on the Sky
Starring: Carl T. Evans, Randall Batinkoff, Nicole Fonarow, Susan Misner
Written and Directed by: Carl T. Evans
Seemingly influenced by The Big Chill and St. Elmo's Fire, Walking on the Sky draws together group of friends, including a yuppie couple, a minor league baseball player, a sweet, soft-spoken woman who runs a non-profit animal hospital/shelter and a rebel/misunderstood "loser," after one of the group (named Josh) commits suicide.
In the midst of everything someone discovers Josh's diary and the group decides to read it hoping it will reveal the answer as to why he chose to kill himself. Instead it exposes secrets and confessions and insecurities, leading to plenty of fighting and heavy soul searching as discussions as the group deals with the many demons beneath their pretty facades.
At one moment the perfectly composed Liz (Fonarow) says "Having a common through line helps in the overall understanding and dealing with your partner." Josh's fiancé, Sara, (Misner) says, "Where did you hear that?" Liz replies: "My therapist." And there's this silent, concerned look that comes over Sara's face. What?!! It's 2005 and she's surprised that this woman has a therapist? I think these days the concern is when someone does not (hello dead fiancé).
While Evans effort to bring depth and meaning while examining the bonds of friendship and varying degrees of relationships is commendable, it falls flat at times. The film really does not answer any questions.
My biggest issue is that I can't imagine maintaining friendships from high school anymore the way people move around so much. I don't know if the Big Chill factor fits for Gen X-ers really, but I could suspend that thought for the film. That does not mean this is not a captivating character-driven drama. It's a talking film: their lives, their mistakes, the choices they made.
A few of the characters are particularly of interest especially Evans's own Dylan who just cannot seem to succeed or get out of his own way (his own father will not accept his phone calls) as well as that of Batinkoff as the cocky ball player, Nick.
The women don't get that much development but I find Fonarow a scene stealer as the suit-wearing snobby antiques broker who needs to control everything. She is as fiery as her red hair and refuses to give up her reigning power as the Bitch of the group. [And I have to share my "six degrees": I had a huge crush on Evans in his early acting days when he was on Guiding Light and wrote to him and he sent me an autographed picture. And I met Batinkoff when I worked as an extra on School Ties in 1992.]
Walking on the Sky is not uplifting but it is a solid drama with a refreshing debut script and some sharp acting scenes from an ensemble cast of mostly unknown actors.
***
By Amy Steele
Home |
Actors/Models |
Art |
Books |
Dining
Film & Video |
Food & Wine |
Health & Fitness
MediaWatch |
Money and Business |
Music |
Profiles
Professional Services |
Sports |
Style & Fashion
Technology |
Theatre |
Travel & Leisure
Copyright © 1995 - 2008 inmag.com
inmag.com (on line) and in Magazine (in print)
are published by in! communications, Inc.
www.inmag.com
|
Advertiser Info
Subscription Form
Contact Us
|
