The New Year

The New Year is a poignant and emotionally charged drama that was first released in 2010. This compelling feature film is the brainchild of American filmmaker Brett Haley, who not only directed the movie but also co-wrote the screenplay with Elizabeth Kennedy. The film stars talent like Trieste Kelly Dunn, Ryan Hunter, and Kevin Wheatley, lifting the artistic merits of the movie and solidifying its position as a film of note.

The film revolves around the life of Sunny, portrayed by the remarkable Trieste Kelly Dunn, who brings an authentic and captivating performance to the table. Sunny, who valedictorian of her high school class, is in her mid-twenties when we meet her. Her ambitious dreams of forging a career in the world of writing feel like a distant memory, as she now finds herself attached to her hometown in Pensacola, Florida, working nights as a shoe cleaner in a bowling alley. Her otherwise quiet and predictable life is temporarily put on hold to care for her ailing and infirm father, forcing her to postponingly delay her own personal aspirations.

Set mostly in the somewhat limited parameters of the bowling alley where Sunny works, the film captures the essence of her daily grind, her routine, her interactions with strange and familiar faces, and the monotony that seemingly pervades her existence. Throughout this, Trieste Kelly Dunn's portrayal of Sunny effectively balances a mix of stoicism, vulnerability, and a quiet yearning for something more.

As the movie unfolds, Sunny's old school friend Isaac, played by Ryan Hunter, returns home. Isaac is now a stand-up comic having spent the years after high school on the road. His homecoming sets Sunny's world slightly off-tilt, breathing new life into her stale world. It also compels her to confront her own complacencies and question the choices she's made.

Adding further layers of complexity to the narrative is the character of Neal, brought to life by Kevin Wheatley. Neal is Sunny's high school boyfriend, who has now evolved into her long-distance beau. With Neal's existence playing out mostly over the phone, Sunny's relationship with him adds intrigue and depth to her character, influencing her actions and reactions throughout the movie.

What stands out about The New Year is it's incredibly grounded and understated narration. The subtext is often more powerful than the dialogue, which is sparse yet potent. The movie captures the nuances of life and loss, reflecting the beauty of human connection in its rawest form. While the film is innately quiet, it is by no means passive, with each scene brimming with tension, uncertainty, and unspoken yearnings.

The New Year also gains credits for its skillful cinematography, beautifully capturing the ambience of its setting. It adds another level of engagement, absorbing the viewers into the everyday lives of its characters with aesthetically pleasing visuals.

Performances by Dunn, Hunter, and Wheatley are remarkable, uniquely portraying characters who are as real as they are relatable. Their interpersonal dynamics and individual complexities result in a compelling narrative that keeps the viewer engrossed.

All in all, The New Year is an insightful exploration of life and human connections, one that exhibits the profundity of seemingly mundane existences. It is a narrative about dreams deferred, responsibilities thrust upon, and the inherent yearning to break away from the confines of the familiar. It takes its viewers on an emotional journey, one that leaves them introspecting the choices they make and the life they build around those choices.

Beneath its seemingly simplistic exterior, the film is a deeply evocative piece that resonates long after the concluding scene. Its compelling performances, elegant narration, and hauntingly beautiful visuals make it a worthwhile watch for anyone who appreciates cinema that is raw, honest, and painstakingly real.