The cat and the moon is a film you need to see. Like it or dislike it it is a masterclass in performance and film making.
The movie is a beautiful look at lives of teenagers from their perspective. This is, in my opinion a rarity, whilst copious movies exist dealing with the emotions and the mental state of teenagers few bring the raw complexity of them to forefront. And few productions feel as real as this feature.
I attribute this to our lead and director Alex Wolff. This is Wolff's directorial debut (hard to believe) and you're left wondering is there anything this guy can't do. The movie ebbs and flows through happiness, nostalgia, love, heartbreak and betrayal - the ease at which Wolff can conduct these emotions is what makes him a first class actor and now, director.
Wolff has a unique ability to allow his costars to shine in their performances and bring their characters to life. In one scene with a drug dealer on Tommy Nelson's character finds himself in a situation he didn't anticipate. His tough man exterior is broken and we the audience can see a shift in his personality not just figuratively but physically too. Nelson has a wonderful way of expressing his fear and embarrassment by merely changing his physique. It is rather fantastic to watch. Another performance that makes the Cat and the Moon one of those movies that lingers in your mind long after it has ended is that of Stefania Owen. She is an example of a performance that is effortless. Her entire character feels unrehearsed. Perhaps it is her on screen chemistry with Wolff, their ease of working together or her pure talent but either way she is one of a handful of actors with whom you can lose yourself in. Owen brings the story to life.
You could go into this film thinking it is an Alex Wolff movie and the supporting cast are merely a backdrop for an ego boost for Wolff, how wrong you would be. This movie is more than an Alex Wolff credit. It is a story of real people.
People we can all relate to with emotions we have all felt. It deals with the complexity of human life the intricacies that make us who we are. It is a snapshot of early adulthood in the hardest of circumstances. This movie is rambunctious and fast paced at times and that I think was Wolff's intention. The true story, the real story lies not in the party scenes but scenes but in the quiet moments of his characters grief. It is then we see his vulnerability. Cat and The Moon is the story of being lost - lost in grief, life, love and uncertainty. There is no miracle ending or sunset beauty. There is just the characters moving along no knowing what comes next and to that I think we can all relate. Alex Wolff is a mesmerising story teller let's all hope that his next original is in the works.
The movie is a beautiful look at lives of teenagers from their perspective. This is, in my opinion a rarity, whilst copious movies exist dealing with the emotions and the mental state of teenagers few bring the raw complexity of them to forefront. And few productions feel as real as this feature.
I attribute this to our lead and director Alex Wolff. This is Wolff's directorial debut (hard to believe) and you're left wondering is there anything this guy can't do. The movie ebbs and flows through happiness, nostalgia, love, heartbreak and betrayal - the ease at which Wolff can conduct these emotions is what makes him a first class actor and now, director.
Wolff has a unique ability to allow his costars to shine in their performances and bring their characters to life. In one scene with a drug dealer on Tommy Nelson's character finds himself in a situation he didn't anticipate. His tough man exterior is broken and we the audience can see a shift in his personality not just figuratively but physically too. Nelson has a wonderful way of expressing his fear and embarrassment by merely changing his physique. It is rather fantastic to watch. Another performance that makes the Cat and the Moon one of those movies that lingers in your mind long after it has ended is that of Stefania Owen. She is an example of a performance that is effortless. Her entire character feels unrehearsed. Perhaps it is her on screen chemistry with Wolff, their ease of working together or her pure talent but either way she is one of a handful of actors with whom you can lose yourself in. Owen brings the story to life.
You could go into this film thinking it is an Alex Wolff movie and the supporting cast are merely a backdrop for an ego boost for Wolff, how wrong you would be. This movie is more than an Alex Wolff credit. It is a story of real people.
People we can all relate to with emotions we have all felt. It deals with the complexity of human life the intricacies that make us who we are. It is a snapshot of early adulthood in the hardest of circumstances. This movie is rambunctious and fast paced at times and that I think was Wolff's intention. The true story, the real story lies not in the party scenes but scenes but in the quiet moments of his characters grief. It is then we see his vulnerability. Cat and The Moon is the story of being lost - lost in grief, life, love and uncertainty. There is no miracle ending or sunset beauty. There is just the characters moving along no knowing what comes next and to that I think we can all relate. Alex Wolff is a mesmerising story teller let's all hope that his next original is in the works.