REACH
Film Review by FIORE
The mainstay of Independent films is the ability to offer
innovative interpretations on film.
Unfortunately, REACH does
not. Rather, it offers a series of exaggerated pigeonholes in a trifling tale given
more gravitas than necessary.
REACH is
the name of a performance art school.
Writers Johnny James Fiore (no relation, because he is a dreaded three
name person), Grant Harling and Maria Capp turn all of the male students and
faculty at the school into raging homosexuals.
Having taught at an art school, I realize the homosexual population
percentage is augmented in the student body, but REACH creates a factory of limp wristed, cross-dressing, lisp
talking typecasts, serving as a comedic insult to homosexuals.
Garrett Clayton plays Steve Turano, a talented musician
who is struggling with the suicide of his mother and an unshared grief over her
death with his
father. He befriends new
student Clarence West (Fiore), who is a drug-addicted playwright. Tossed into the mix is Nick, played by Jordan
Doww, who is searching for love, but receives none from his alcoholic father.
The publicity agency desperately wants to tie REACH into national anti-bullying month
(October), but this story is hard-pressed to do so. Themes of drug and alcohol addiction and
marital infidelity are more apropos.
Under the direction of Leif Rokesh, REACH offers nothing innovative behind the camera. Brandon Ruiz and Rio Mangini offer average
performances as director of photography and music composer, respectively. Editor Stephen J. Murray provides staccato
scene transitions and elongates the conclusion to uncomfortable lengths.
REACH
plays more like a part of a bigger story than it does the story itself. It is not particularly insightful, nor is it
entertaining, save for those who may empathizes if they attended an art school
while experiencing domestic turmoil.
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