Consent

Consent is a gripping 2010 drama laced with shades of romance and suspense, directed by Ron Brown. The film stars rising talents like Peter Vack, Troian Bellisario, and Betsey Brown, offering viewers a deep-dive into the dynamics of youth, family ties, and morality. The film's intense narrative and thought-provoking subject matter made it a standout in independent cinema.

Consent opens on the tight-knit world of the affluent yet dysfunctional Gold family in Manhattan. Their life, filled with wealth and privilege, hides a shaky foundation of secrets, debauchery, and an overwhelming lack of genuine happiness. With a cast of unique and broken characters, director Ron Brown skilfully unveils this world by examining the actions, interactions, and consequences that unfold within this prominent family.

Programmed with a boatload of suppressed feelings and yearning for love, Peter Vack portrays the character of Josh Gold, who is grappling with his emerging adulthood. Josh is an aspiring photographer, searching for both his artistic identity and personal space within the scripted life under his domineering father’s thumb. With a discreetly poignant performance, Peter Vack embodies the encapsulating pressures of being the offspring to a privileged lineage with its emotional baggage.

Josh’s world turns upside down when he meets the alluring yet idiosyncratic piano teacher, Amanda (played by Troian Bellisario). Her free-spirited nature and outside perspective provide a stark contrast to Josh's constrained environment. Over time, Amanda’s arrival initiates an upheaval in the family’s status-quo that unsettles every member. The chemistry between Vack and Bellisario crackles as their onscreen relationship ebbs and flows, illuminating layers of complexity beneath their characters' skins.

Meta Gold, played by the talented Betsey Brown, is Josh's adolescent sister. She manifests the majority of the family’s simmering issues and finds an emotional escape in her dance routines. Brown's portrayal of Meta captures the tribulations of an angst-ridden teenager and amplifies the psychological underpinning of the narrative. Each character's arc intertwines, raising questions about power dynamics, manipulation, and difficult choices.

While the plot is anchored by these main characters, the supporting cast – including Kate Burton as the aloof mother, Brian Miskell as the calculating elder brother, and Jeff McCarthy as the imposing father – each contribute to the extended narrative. They shed light on different facets of the fundamental issues being explored and compound the complex thematic layers of the film.

Consent's screenplay is as unpredictable as its characters. Just as you think you know what direction the film might take, brown fills the plot with unexpected twists that keep you constantly engaged. Human flaws, tensions, and the way these characters deal with their internal conflicts pave the way for a subsequent chain of events that affects every member of the Gold family and those around them.

Despite the explicit dilemmas, the intelligent dialogue, intense performances and subtle compassion reflect the film's underlying theme of seeking permission or 'consent,' both literally and figuratively. This compelling metaphor echoes throughout the movie and resonates in the complex reality of the characters' lives.

Visually, the cinematography of Consent is noticeably elegant, reflecting on the characters' tormented minds and the intricate contrast between their affluent lifestyle and their corroded emotions. Using a refined color palette, detailed compositions, and thoughtful staging, Consent effectively communicates the tension and unrest looming over the Gold family’s opulent home. The evocative musical score further offers a deeper insight into the characters' minds and subtly enhances the overall storytelling.

The film accomplishes an intricate passageway into the dysfunctional world of the Gold family, touching on issues such as consent, love, power, and morality, making it a captivating experience. The performances bring a certain rawness, pushing the viewer to contemplate around notions of right and wrong.

In stringent adherence to its title, Consent braids the tale of an affluent family's shadows, a grim narrative of love and inheritance, and an exploration of the grey areas in relationships. It is a thought-provoking drama that compellingly grapples with moral questions and the weight of personal decisions.