Homestate

Homestate is an intimate and personal indie drama released in 2016 directed by David Hickey. The film stars Blaise Miller, known for his work in “Scenesters” and “It's a Disaster.” Like a breath of fresh air, the movie steps into the emotional sphere with its unique storytelling and smooth execution. The leading female roles are gracefully accomplished by Grace Love and Shaneye Ferrell, both bringing depth and profound layers to their performances.

The film revolves around the life of an aimless bachelor named Josh (Blaise Miller) who still lives at home with his widowed mother and his sister. Josh’s constrained life takes an unexpected turn when his charismatic and free-spirited cousin, who is facing personal problems, comes to live with them. Josh's life becomes even more complicated when his sister's friend, who has returned to Texas to handle family matters, entices him.

Inspired by the mumblecore genre, the narrative of Homestate reflects the contours of real life, encapsulating all its complexity, quiet pain, and subtle joy. It presents viewers with a thought-provoking exploration of loneliness, desperation, and the ongoing struggle to find one’s identity, even when the boundaries of that identity are constantly shifting beneath one's feet. The movie also touches on family dynamics, revealing both the restraints of close familial ties as well as their deceptively supportive nature.

Homestate is set against the backdrop of Austin, Texas, which serves as an additional character to the story. It uncovers a small-sized city's wanderings, idiosyncrasies, charms, and unassuming beauty. Additionally, Austin's casual, unhurried pace enhances the exceedingly meandering rhythm of the narrative, a rhythm that echoes the slow transformation and profound revelations pursued by the film's characters.

Highlighted by subtle performances, Homestate is grounded in its sincerity and raw emotional honesty. Blaise Miller, as Josh, delivers an outstanding portrayal of a man on the cusp of midlife crisis, battling with life's stagnation and struggles. Grace Love, as Josh's outgoing cousin, presents the perfect foil with her liberated demeanor and wistful dreams. It’s through these characters that the movie explores contentious issues like family obligations, individual perceptions, and emotional vulnerability.

The film also excels in its technical execution, with beautifully shot scenes that place emphasis on the story's underlying sentiments. Equipped with minimalistic cinematography and an attentive gaze, the director explores the profound connection shared by the characters and their environment. This gives a visual texture to the movie, enhancing its emotional depth. Moreover, the film benefits from its cleverly utilized acoustic soundtrack, which often works as an echo to the characters' emotions, further emphasizing the depth of the situations.

Homestate strikes a unique balance between show and tell by letting the audience into the lives of its characters through a raw, unscripted lens. It beautifully reflects the complexities of the small-town American lifestyle, punctuated by undercurrents of self-reflection and personal discovery. The narrative moves at a slow pace, allowing viewers to explore and understand the underlying tensions and emotions in the characters' relationships.

At the heart of Homestate is a story of change and acceptance – a pilgrimage towards self-discovery that each character embarks on. It explores the concept of home, and how in its familiarity, a home can sometimes become the most unfamiliar place. The movie, in its sophistication and restraint, delves into the very essence of human relationships and familial ties, making it a truly captivating watch.

In conclusion, Homestate invites its viewers to indulge in an introspective journey with its characters, demonstrating the power of cinematic storytelling through a simple yet thoughtful narrative. Its real strength lies in its non-judgmental portrayal of mundane life, layered with intricate emotions and human responses. It beautifully captures the beauty of raw life—its struggles, aspirations and, importantly, its capacity for change. For all its subtle sadness and contemplation, Homestate serves as a moving testament to small-town life and relationships. The viewer is left with a profound sense of understanding the nuances of struggle, acceptance and transformation.