Audience Member
Great movie to watch, heart wrenching, even today there are many countries that dump toxic waste in to ocean n cause devistation to people and environment
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
01/28/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Fahey is brilliant in this film.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
01/15/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Holden On
Review
Chris Willums
Let me begin by saying that this was a very brave film to make. This is a very emotionally heavy film. There is really no target market or demographic for it, simply a story that needed to be told. A story that was told to simply educate people about schizophrenia and the day-to-day reality of the ones that suffer from it, also the challenges of the ones closest to them to understand it. There is no hero, no bad guy, and no happy ending. There is only the true story of a young man struggling with a secret, a secret that unfortunately sometimes comes with a stigma.
The film is set in the mid 1990ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s before social media, smart phones, and handheld g.p.s. devises, a time when people could easily disappear for a few months or even years without ever being heard from. Itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s a story of a young man and his downward spiral into the confusion of what was going on inside of his own head. The film also explored the many different people that Holden affiliated with at different stages of his journey, most who were unaware of his illness.
The challenge that this film really tackled was visualizing what someone with schizophrenia actually goes through on a daily basis. The visuals really pull you in and force you to experience what itï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)s like to live with this illness and the challenges of keeping it a secret from the ones closest to you. This is a powerful film that was superbly executed and I doubt that anyone that has seen it was left unaffected.
On a personal note, Holden was my friend and I have a character in the film that played a small role. Iï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)ll never forget the night I heard what had happened to him. Even after all these years Iï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2(TM)m still in disbelief. After years of waiting for the film to be completed I finally got to sit in on a much anticipated screening. It was almost difficult to watch only because the film did such an amazing job of showing the pain and anguish that Holden was going through that none of us could see at the time. At the end of the screening I met briefly with Matt Fahey, the actor that played Holden. I told him what an amazing job he did and thanked him for bringing Holden back us. As difficult as it is for a grown man in his forties to admit, upon leaving the theater I became so overwhelmed with emotion that my legs collapsed and I had to lean in the corner of the hallway and weep.
So the major underlying point of this film is that if you are having a hard time in life and thinking about checking out; just remember that you are important to someone. You matter. Someone cares about you. You will be missed and mostly importantlyï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2ï¿ 1/2 1/2 1/2..Just keep HOLDEN ON.
Thank You,
Chris Willums
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/13/23
Full Review
Audience Member
great small film, very much worth watching, it sparks a conversation we do not have enough in our society... watch it!!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/10/23
Full Review
ranny l
This exceptional film brought out all of my emotions, which is why it is one of my new favorites. I don't remember the last time I laughed and cried within minutes of each other. I'm glad I was able to express my emotions, because that is what makes me relate to a film. This film helped my heart grow bigger and make me more empathetic towards others.
Based on a true story, Holden On is about a 17-year-old boy named Holden Layfield, who lives in a small town in Georgia and is a star athlete. Playing football like a professional, Layfield receives multiple college scholarships and is ready to begin a new chapter in his life. But, he has a big secret: he is battling a mental illness. Over a two year period, Layfield tries to keep his illness to himself and transforms from a fantastic football player to a prophet who believes he can save the world.
Matthew Fahey portrays Holden in a remarkable fashion. He acts very humble, which illustrates how kind-hearted Holden truly is. However, because of his humility, it is difficult for Holden's family to decipher his thoughts. Fahey makes you believe that Holden is completely fine and, because he isn't, it makes the plot even more intriguing. Steve Ellis' portrayal of Zinte, Holden's best friend, is humorous. Zinte truly cares about Holden and it is evident through their five year friendship. Ellis characterizes Zinte as comical, joking around with him to cheer him up. But, he is unaware of Holden's issue. These lead actors left me on the edge of my seat for the entire film.
I love the music in this film because which is from the 80s, opening with "It's the End of the World" by R.E.M. The film is set in the 90s, but the music is from an older era and includes bands such as Suzie Rose and Tommy McCarthy. My favorite parts of the film are when Holden is in a situation and the camera shifts towards his point of view. For example, Holden tackles another team player on the football field before the game begins. The camera cuts to Holden's thoughts, displaying a visual of what is going on in his brain. I enjoyed how Holden narrates his thoughts when this occurs, because I could empathize more with him.
The message of this film is that you are not alone, even if you're battling mental illness. Talk to your friends, family or a professional about your feelings, because there is someone who is always willing to help. Mental illness is common and not many people are aware of the help available to those who are suffering. That a movie has been created to address the issue touches my heart.
Be forewarned that Holden resorts to drugs to cope with his illness yet, this film has such an impactful message that I wish every kid could see it. We can all help those who are dealing with mental illness. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 16 to 18 as well as adults. Go to Iamholdenon.org to read about the nationwide movement supporting treating mental illness through artistic expression.
Reviewed by Samantha M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/31/23
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