Starting From Scratch

Audience Reviews

View All (16) audience reviews

Audience Member This independent film follows the story of Ally (Elizabeth Sandy) and Jake (James Huang) and their divorce whilst going through an IRS audit. This romantic comedy is a perfect balance between humor and drama. Showing how both Ally and Jake go through random hook ups, family support and counselling in order to get through a tough breakup. This film definitely hits close to home but shows the amazing silver lining at the end. Starting from Scratch is universal in that the storyline and script is able to add to the cinematic element and tells a very detailed yet understandable story. It is able to uniquely show a light hearted and eye-opening view into a divorce that everyone can follow. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/20/23 Full Review Audience Member The film Starting from Scratch makes excellent use of the cinematography to convey emotion in each scene as it follows the ironically romantic & comedic aspects of separation. Jake (James Huang) and Ally (Elizabeth Sandy) portray a couple who are at the ending stages of their marriage, with extra tension added due to them being audited by the IRS after a failed film by Jake. James Huang, who also directed the film, uses the reality of Los Angeles and it's the array of personalities to give the film a comedic tone, while the plot shows how divorce doesn't mean that the love and respect felt is gone after divorce. I like how they did this because it made the story more relatable and realistic instead. The film's plot and comedic tone have even earned the film 5 festival wins, including Best Feature at the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival. I'd definitely watch this movie again, and I believe it deserves to be viewed by any lover of rom-coms. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/15/23 Full Review Audience Member In Starting From Scratch, you see the ups and downs of marriage through the eyes of Jake (James Huang) and Ally (Elizabeth Sandy). Huang's performance as a soon-to-be divorcee shows the complicated emotions involved with splitting up. You see Jake anxious, devastated, in denial, but still keeping a light humor about him as he tries to step back into the world of dating. Huang's charm also shines through in a lovable and awkward way that eventually wins you over. Jake is an honest portrait of what so many married couples go through, and the eloquent dialogue paints this portrait wonderfully. Starting From Scratch is a refreshing and funny lesson heartbreak and how to come back from it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member Starting From Scratch tells a charming, escapist take on the "one in three marriages end in divorce" story. Watching this film makes you fall in love with the albeit failed remnants of Jake (James Huang) and Ally's (Elizabeth Sandy) relationship and takes a mature and emotional while still lighthearted approach to talking about the depth of human relationships. Seeing the characters indulge in their own lives outside of each other while reflecting on the highlights is a relatable and very real way of expressing what it's like to miss someone. The comedic awkwardness of trying to move on while seeing your friends around you entering new relationships is not only candidly hilarious, but is also heartfelt and certainly relatable, making Starting From Scratch a rom-com with a lot to offer. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member I really enjoyed this film and the honest look it has about divorce. The triple threat writer-director-star James Huang did an impressive job keeping the story about a couple undergoing divorce grounded and relatable, while also balancing the comedy with the more serious nature of the plot. The script was a personal highlight; Jake (James Huang), Ally (Elizabeth Sandy), and their friends are all three-dimensional characters with their own flaws and growth. I could tell this was a passion project for the cast and crew, and I'd absolutely recommend this especially to people who normally don't enjoy romantic films. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Starting From Scratch tackles on the relatable experience of love and heartbreak with a well thought out narrative structure, giving the audience favorable impression walking away from the film. While emotional, yet lighthearted, the montages that takes the viewer to different points of the relationship illustrating the full scope of what Jake (James Huang) and Ally (Elizabeth Sandy) are going through. From cherry and affectionate, to tired and frustrated, we get a mix of emotions that takes us along their journey. Cinemograph Chad Peter makes use of excellent visual aesthetics, a precursor to some of his work on Mr. Robot. All the while, James Huang does an excellent job adding a splash of comedy to an already pleasurable piece of cinema. A very down to earth, entertaining film, for a heart aching sitch we know all too well. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Starting From Scratch

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW