In the Radiant City

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Kevin L Kentucky-made film with fine performances by a largely unknown cast. Director/writer Rachel Lambert shows promise here with this, her full-length debut. Tone is established early and maintained well. The visual approach, with the dark hues, desultory rooms, and yellow fields, helps set its own feel. Standout work by Michael Abbott, Jr. and Marin Ireland in the two leads, and strong support work from the fine actors Paul Sparks, Celia Watson, and young Madison Beaty. Family is torn apart by a sibling testifying against another. Many years later an attempted reconciliation is as messy and broken as one would expect. But is there hope? Hope is a good thing. 3.4 stars Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/25/23 Full Review ronald h There's a Jeff Nichols vibe to this film, even though he didn't direct it. He co-produced it, with Rachel Lambert directing. The characters are rural, small town, working class folks, evoking Nichols' films like "Mud," "Take Shelter," and "Shotgun Stories." The story is told slowly, in pieces, with some flashbacks. It's a slow burn, not for the impatient. Michael Abbott, Jr. is Andrew, a crew member on a commercial fishing boat who, for reasons not immediately explained, leaves his job and returns to his home town in Kentucky. He checks into a shabby motel, and while picking up some stuff at the grocery store, is seen by the cashier Laura, (Marin Ireland) who immediately goes outside and throws up. Why? We learn in bits and pieces. Years before, Andrew testified in the trial of his brother Michael (Paul Sparks), who was accused of murdering a young boy. Andrew's testimony put Michael away for life. Laura's reaction to seeing him is understandable when we learn that she is the sister in the family. To further complicate things, Andrew encounters a teenage girl outside a convenience store who induces him to buy her some beer. Unbeknownst to either of them, they're related. She is Andrew's niece, his sister Laura's 15-year old daughter (Madisen Beaty) Beth. The two wind up in Andrew's motel room, but there's nothing sexual; there's more of a father / daughter thing going on. I'll leave it there. We have questions: Why does Andrew return? Did Michael really do it? If so, was Andrew complicit? Or did Andrew do it and allow Michael to go down for it? Viewers who expect pat answers and neat closure in movie plots will probably hate this film, which is more about the journey than the destination. But it's a good character study and a chance to see some committed acting. Ireland is exceptional. I don't mind ambiguous endings, as long as the plot and acting are good. But I do question the film's title. It seems to have nothing to do with the story. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member This movie ends a scene or two too early. The subject is interesting and the characters relate to each other in authentic ways. It's slow, but detail-oriented, and I think it gets its point across in most every scene, except it is lacking anything resembling a resolution. It is unfinished and just leaves the audience hanging without providing any of the important details we were waiting for the whole time. Disappointing. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I felt like the ending left me wanting. Did he go to bat for his brother, did he and his sister reconcile, did Beth and her mother fix their broken relationship, did his mother find some happiness? Just an inkling of a hint at the end of the film would allow us to draw our own conclusions. Instead, the director gave us no idea what path Andrew would take. I loved most of this movie but the ending ruined it for me. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member This is about as real as it gets. At least about as real as you can expect from a film. Well done, Ms. Lambert. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews

In the Radiant City

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