7 DAYS
In his directorial debut, Roshan Sethi accentuates the intricacies of loneliness, culture, and personal discovery when it’s least expected in this tenderhearted and funny COVID-19 rom-com. Ravi (Karan Soni) can’t get any more traditional than he already is. So when his parents set up a pre-arranged date with Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan), he expects her to be the same way. She definitely tries, though the truth is she’s the furthest thing from it. It only gets more awkward once the shelter-in-place is enforced due to the pandemic. Their antiquated Indian parents forced them to meet and now they’re left with no choice but to get to know one another for real.
Between Soni (who also co-wrote the film) and Viswanathan’s terrific chemistry and their overall quirkiness – how could you not enjoy being trapped inside with them for 86 minutes? Their two topflight lead performances topple any familiarity we’ve come to expect within such a well-worn genre. And Sethi and Soni are two of the very few who have written a story involving COVID-19 that serves a real purpose, thereby affecting our characters in a meaningful way. It can undeniably change our views on how we wish to live and love moving forward.
FAYE
In what’s intended to be a one-woman haunted ghost story dealing with grief, guilt, and acceptance is simply a sorry excuse for one. Faye (Sarah Zanotti) is a best selling author who should be concentrating on her next personal growth book, but is a bit preoccupied chatting it up with her dead husband. It’s a part of her mourning process that her therapist seems to think isn’t too healthy. You don’t say? She retreats to a cabin down in Louisiana to get the words flowing only to realize that she’s not alone. From the story and script to the atmosphere and scares – nothing works whatsoever while following Faye on her drunken, supernatural journey in dealing with pain she’s been avoiding. She clearly needs help, though the movie itself needs twice as much – maybe more.
(Editor’s note: for a very very different perspective on Faye, check out Brittany’s review here)
POSER
Sylvie Mix is stellar as Lennon, a young, timid podcaster heavily striving to be included in the Columbus, OH underground music scene. Upon her meeting Bobbi Kitten (playing some version of herself), an occult pop rocker, a friendship between the two begins to blossom, making way for Lennon to become what she’s always wanted. Though, it’s not in in the most honest of ways, and as her scary obsession gets worse and worse – her identity gets more and more blurred. Directors Noah Dixon and Ori Segev’s psychodrama has intriguing elements about a lonesome girl finding her voice and gaining a sense of belonging in a very alarming way. However, it’s been repeatedly told before and more effectively. Additionally, its ending is mishandled and hardly shocking. Mix’s performance solely pushes this character study a good distance. Still, it just isn’t enough as the story is unable to stand out in the crowd and play something indelible.
Brandon Vick is a member of The Music City Film Critics’ Association, the resident film critic of the SoBros Network, and the star of The Vick’s Flicks Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @SirBrandonV and be sure to search #VicksFlicks for all of his latest movie reviews.
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