This is a move about a family coping with household debt, a subject that is rarely dealt with honestly in cinema in spite of the central role financial stress plays in most modern lives. The themes are heavy but the film has a light hand, 'Love and Debt' makes some very timely points in the way that films should, not by telling us all about them but by showing us real, flawed characters in action as they try to cope with what life brings them and struggle to rediscover their true priorities.
The cast is outstanding and full of familiar faces. The entire cast delivers complete and compelling characters that never strain or reach to hit an emotional moment. The excellent cast benefits from the well crafted script and the confident directorial hand provided by Valerie Landsburg. Her cast is as honest and unpretentious as her own directorial style Supporting characters are fully drawn and given moments to shine.
I especially enjoyed the understated acoustic score which softly supports the narrative and helps move the story forward without intruding on the moments, the actors or the audience's own process.
This is a well realized gem of a movie, every aspect of the film making is top quality, sound and photography, editing and design. I strongly recommend 'Love and Debt' to anyone whose ever balanced a checkbook.
Review of Love & Debt
