Bare

Bare is a fascinating, poignant piece of modern independent cinema that debuted in 2015. Born from the creative helm of film director Natalia Leite, the movie showcases the incredible acting talent of Dianna Agron and Paz de la Huerta, supported by Chris Zylka.

The film’s portrayal and exploration of a small Nevada desert town's ennui, bending gender norms, sexuality, and the shimmering facades of reality and fantasy is highly captivating. The story centers around two young women who live in a town where opportunities are limited and life is often cloaked in the veil of despair and monotonous routine.

Dianna Agron, known for her breakout role in the hit television series "Glee," skillfully portrays Sarah Barton, a young woman in her early twenties languishing in her hometown and the tedious life that it offers. Sarah is working a dead-end job at a local supermarket, looking after her little sister in place of their wayward mother, and dating a guy who seems to be as aimless as her life appears to be. Sarah dreams of a bigger, brighter world outside the confines of her small town but feels trapped in her current circumstances.

Paz de La Huerta, known for her striking performances in "Boardwalk Empire" and "Enter the Void," plays Pepper, a mysterious drifter and societal reject who arrives in town. Exuding a fearless and unapologetic demeanor, Pepper is enigmatic, unpredictable, and armed with an allure that catches Sarah’s attention almost instantly.

Pepper introduces Sarah to a world hitherto unknown to her; a world glittering under neon lights and pulsating with seductive dangerous energy. As Sarah becomes entangled in this heady new space full of exotic dancers and illicit activities, she embarks on a journey that challenges her perception of freedom, love, self-identity and the paths she can choose on the crossroads of adulthood.

Meanwhile, Chris Zylka, widely appreciated for his roles in series like "The Leftovers," plays Haden, Sarah’s auto mechanic boyfriend. He fleshes out a character burdened by his ambitions and societal pressures to accomplish traditional concepts of masculinity and success, embodying the town's harsh realities, limitations, and generally somber undertone that encapsulates each resident.

Notably, Bare is a film that challenges and deconstructs traditional narrative structures surrounding femininity and the coming of age genre. The characters are deeply flawed, real, and raw, breaking free from the standard tropes of the naive or sexualized young woman.

Using the arid and somber landscape of the desert as a backdrop, the film extracts the raw beauty and inherent isolation that mirrors the protagonist's lives. The director skillfully uses visual metaphors and a non-linear narrative style to highlight the dilemmas faced by the characters, their desperation to escape mundane realities, and their battle against societal norms.

The film is original, thought-provoking, and deeply visceral in its approach. It does not shy away from showing the grittier sides of life, choosing instead to let the characters make mistakes, learn, and grow. The embedded theme of self-discovery and exploration are beautifully interwoven with the more prominent plotlines of desire and resilience against harsh adversity.

Bare possesses an ensemble of talented actors who bring heart and nuance to their complex characters. Their performances breathe life into the story and make it highly relatable. Add to that a gritty narrative, excellent cinematography, and an engrossing exploration of the liberation of one's identity, making Bare a compelling watch.

In conclusion, Bare is a brave, confronting, and well-made piece of cinema, raising the bar for indie films tackling complicated themes of sexuality, identity, and self-discovery. It's an exploration of characters willing to strip down, bare all, and rebuild what they believe about themselves and their world. The movie leaves audiences questioning societal structures, challenging unconscious biases, and reflecting upon their sense of identity. It is a must-watch for all those who appreciate non-mainstream cinema that delves deep into the human psyche's complexities.