LoveTrue

LoveTrue is a captivating and thought-provoking documentary drama released in 2016. Directed by the groundbreaking filmmaker Alma Har'el, known for her boundary-pushing documentary works. The stellar performances of non-professional actors Abraham Boyd, Angel Boyd, and Harmony Boyd form the focal point of this intriguing piece of cinema.

Dividing its focus amongst three separate stories linked by a common theme of love’s complexities, LoveTrue challenges the traditional boundaries between narrative and documentary filmmaking. Through evolving real-life narratives from the lives of its characters, LoveTrue immerses you in a triptych journey of human life exploring the concept of love across distinct geographies and cultures of America.

One of the stories in this triptych traces the life of Abraham Boyd, a young man from Nashville, where he dismantles the notion of eternal love after discovering a heart-shattering lie. Boyd's tumultuous journey delivers a candid portrayal of turmoil, which grows into a rich exploration of identity, love, and self-acceptance.

Angel Boyd’s narrative in the sunny paradise of Hawaii offers a far different experience and perspective. This thoughtful segment peers into the life and psyche of a free-spirited young woman who questions love and relationships while exploring her unique role as a performer at a tourist resort. Her grappling with the duality of fantasy and reality allows for introspective viewing.

Then, the film transitions to the chilly setting of Alaska, where the audience is introduced to Harmony Boyd. Harmony, a hard-working stripper, grapples with the tension between the love she seeks and a past that haunts her. This segment takes an intimate yet sensitive look at perceived and real love from a profoundly personal perspective.

Alma Har’el, in LoveTrue, displays immense mastery in her subtle handling of the narratives. The seamless transitions into each character's pasts and imaginary futures bring real authenticity to the unfolding drama. Notably, the film utilizes a unique mind-bending mix of beautifully choreographed acting sections and raw documentary footage. Such innovative film techniques pose deep, philosophical questions about how the past and the future, reality and imagination, play into our present motions and emotions.

Har'el's intelligent decision to cast look-a-like actors to represent each character's past or future selves, provides an original blend of the theatrical and the real. The actors play alongside their look-alikes, sharing their stages and often switching places with them, establishing a mirroring effect that resonates with the audience on an emotional and intellectual level.

Additionally, LoveTrue navigates the highs and lows of human experiences, a myriad of emotions, vulnerability, joy, disappointments, dreams, and reality, all embedded in the core fabric of love. The film elegantly intertwines individual tales that touch base on several themes, serving as a profound exploration of love against the backdrop of somber realities of life, envisaged through the eyes of a thoughtful observer.

The musical score curated by Flying Lotus skillfully accompanies each pivotal moment in the film. It amplifies the emotive depth of the narrative, enhancing the audiences' connectivity with the characters.

Visually, LoveTrue is a stunning piece of cinematography. Steeped in vibrant colors, evocative landscapes, and expressive close-ups, the film uses its visually arresting sequences to accentuate the pathos of the characters’ experiences. It washes over the screen like a moving painting, entrancing the viewer with each frame.

In conclusion, LoveTrue is a contemplative dive into the complexities of love and life, boldly defying conventional film boundaries with its clever blend of reality and fiction. Raw, riveting, and fascinatingly cryptic, LoveTrue is less a film than a journey—A journey into the depths of the human heart and the multi-dimensionality of love. The film pushes the audience to draw their conclusions, prompting them to think, reflect, and question.

With LoveTrue, expect an emotional roller-coaster ride that engraves a meaningful impact, a piece of art that beautifully disrupts the expected pattern of mainstream documentary filmmaking.