32 WEEKS Review — An Unforgettable Millennial Amnesia Drama
32 Weeks review — Lisa Johnson Mandell says writer/director Brian Cavallaro zeroes in on the pre-pandemic Millennial lifestyle, spicing it up with romance and mystery.
First of all, major kudos go to writer/director Brian Cavallaro (Against The Night, The Last Movie Star), for making a coherent film on a $10,000 budget. People spend more than that on GIPHYs these days. Filmed entirely out of pocket in Santa Monica, Cavallaro says “a good chunk of that $10,000 was for the sound mix.” That money was well spent. Most of the sound blend and music were original and intriguing.
The plot is simple enough: Quintessential Millennial Cole (Nicole Souza) wakes up in a hospitalafter being involved in a car crash she can’t remember. In fact, due to a nasty bump on the head, she can’t remember much of anything, and with the help of a therapist and her former roommate Hannah (Nicole Rainteau — the true breakout star here), she must figure out who she is and what her life is about. Apparently she’s an orphan with no siblings, because family members are mysteriously absent, as is most of her backstory, aside from the fact that she gave private violin lessons and was romantically involved with two men. This is where the plot thickens.
Via spotty flashbacks, social media, a text record and a close cadre of friends, Cole sorts through two relationships; one with sincere Simon (Scott Bender), whom, Cole learns, she met and became involved with a few months prior to the accident; the other with the edgier Warren (Cameron Tagge), with whom she seems to have had a difficult breakup. Slowly and surprisingly, the truth about Cole and her two men is revealed.
Those who have spent any time in Santa Monica will be especially intrigued by 32 Weeks, since Cavallaro captured the cast in marque locations like The Santa Monica Pier, The Venice Canals, and dozens of restaurants and businesses in the area. Play Name That Location, and down a shot each time you recognize a place. Or just kick back and enjoy this very organic Millennial slice of suspenseful life.
No Rating
One Hour, 22 Minutes
See it for free on Amazon Prime Video.
32 Weeks review — Lisa Johnson Mandell says writer/director Brian Cavallaro zeroes in on the pre-pandemic Millennial lifestyle, spicing it up with romance and mystery.
