Almosting It

"Almosting It" is a thought-provoking film that explores the intersection between reality and fantasy and brings to the forefront the timeless concepts of self-discovery, love, and moral ambiguity. Released in 2016, the film was written and directed by William von Tagen, who also starred in it, showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker.

Set in the picturesque landscapes of Idaho, the narrative thrusts its lead character, Chet (played by William von Tagen) into the labyrinth of life's complexities. Von Tagen effectively portrays Chet as a reflective and somewhat lost character who is striving hard to pen his first dramatic screenplay.

Running parallel to Chet's story is that of his landlord, Mr. Bailings (played by Lee Majors), a nursing home owner and once suave playboy, who maneuvers his own path through life, embroiled in its bitter sweetness. There's a palpable tension between Mr. Bailings's past as a playboy and his present reality, handled deftly by Majors. Due to his influence, Chet takes up a job at the nursing home, where a myriad of characters come into play, further fueling his introspective journey.

One of the strong points of "Almosting It" is the array of supporting roles that add flavor to the overarching plot. Among these characters, standout performances include the fiery and independent Annie Bulow as Rachael—Chet’s tentative love interest, and Jessica Sulikowski as Michelle, whose youthful presence and earnestness creates a wide range of emotional colors in the film. Throughout the unfolding narrative, we see Chet's real-life experiences shape and define the script he is fervently trying to write.

The narrative structure vacillates between charm and existential reflection, as Chet navigates the gray areas of love, duty, and personal aspirations. This oscillation effectively highlights the narrative's duality, where life's comedic instances collide with profound moments of self-realization. The nuanced performances bring out the underlying themes of disparity between life as it's imagined and life as it's lived.

As Chet continues to mine experience from the nursing home and from his relationships, he starts to realize that the more he learns about the people in his life, the less he understands about life itself. This enigma makes "Almosting It" a layered exploration of personal growth and the unsettling truths of adulthood masked by the veneer of everyday life.

"Almosting It" is not just about a fledgling writer struggling to create his script, but offers an introspective journey of a man on the verge of self-discovery. As the narrative progresses, it's evident that the film is about 'almosting' it in life, about the oppressive sense of being close to something and yet feeling miles away. The struggles, frustrations, and confusions of the young characters resonate with viewers who have been or are on the cusp of their own transitions.

Stylistically, the film portrays idyllic landscapes, infusing the narrative with a visual language that alternates between the severely real and the expressively romantic. This contrast mirrors the disparity between real life and the romanticized interpretation of it. The cinematography is both striking and subtle, allowing room for the narrative to breathe and complement the unfolding drama. Supplementing this visual display is a sophisticatedly eclectic soundtrack that further enhances the film's immersive aura.

A notable aspect of "Almosting It" is its infusion of humor scattered throughout, offering a light-hearted counterpoint to the heavy philosophical underpinnings. It manages to stay away from melodrama, instead choosing a balanced blend of drama, wit, and thought-provoking themes.

In the end, "Almosting It" is a cleverly structured film that wittily explores the questions of life, love, self-exploration, and the essential struggle behind the human pursuit to be more than what we are—to make sense of where we're going. Despite navigating through philosophical terrain, the narrative does so in an accessible, relatable manner, resonating with anyone who has ever stood on the precipice of self-discovery, ambition, and transformative life choices. It serves as an affirmation that life, much like a well-crafted screenplay, is entwined in strands of success, failure and an endless quest for something elusive—something we're always 'almosting' it.