We are locked in and staying warm with another virtual edition of Sundance. Find our Day 1 Recap here and find part 2 of our recap reviews of the films we caught in the following days posted below.
Stay tuned for more coverage from the rest of the fest, which will be coming soon as well.
Cha Cha Real Smooth
(directed by Cooper Raiff)
Cooper Raiff has a real knack for storytelling that honestly captures moments, both intimate and grand. Just like in his incredible debut Shithouse, Raiff’s screenplay navigates finding those fleeting moments that make you the person you are today and captures them with sincerity and honesty. You’ll laugh as much as you’ll cry.
At its core, the story is intimate and small but it looks beyond the surface, piercing through everyday moments with a worldview wise beyond his years. His writing does wonders for the performances, not that he or the rest of the cast, including a charming Dakota Johnson, need much help. But every choice, from the editing, to the score and each and every song selection is a piece to this wonderful puzzle that completely won me over.
Some may say it’s a bit too conventional or Sundance film festival-esque, but I did not find any of this to be true. This is a film that wears its heart on its sleeve, and god damn, it’s made of some high-quality fabric.
[8.8/10]
Emergency
(directed by Carey Williams)
A wild ride that starts as a college Superbad and merges into Blindspotting. Part one-night college hangout comedy, another part tense social commentary thriller. Funny until it’s not. Balances a lot – sometimes to a fault – but still a success.
Great cast and blend of characters, sure a lot of it is borrowed from classic films that came before, but you have not seen it quite from this point of view. I think this one could really find an audience as a new-gen cult classic.
[7.9/10]
Sharp Stick
(directed by Lena Dunham)
As a borderline Girls apologist, I had high hopes for Sharp Stick. It saddens me to report that I hated every moment of it. It rang completely shallow and void of anything resembling humanity. Kristine Froseth is a revelation but that’s all it has going for it (and of course my man Jon Bernthal).
Imagine the worst version of Red Rocket, Pleasure, The To Do List, and Girls into one. The first true bummer of Sundance for me this year.
Master
[directed by Mariama Diallo]
A mixture of horror and social commentary from director Mariama Diallo that blurs the lines to mixed effect and sadly doesn’t stick the landing.
Featuring good performances all around but seems to suffer from trying to juggle the nature of the various tones and loses sight of its narrative storytelling. Has a lot to say and would have benefited from a more focused pathway.
[6.3/10]
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
(directed Adamma Ebo)
A mockumentary from director Adamma Ebo about the drama surrounding a megachurch that is carried by performances from Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown. It has its moments but it’s inconsistent in tone and too drawn out. Feels like a better idea than what is actually delivered – probably would have been better suited for a series, proven by The Righteous Gemstones.
Am I Ok?
(directed by Tig Notaro + Stephanie Allynne)
Tig Notaro and Stephanie Allynne’s charming debut isn’t breaking new ground but succeeds wholesomely with a light touch but also a smart and honest screenplay + warm performances. Every frame feels lived in, vivid, and real. Dakota Johnson is the queen of Sundance 2022 so far, with yet another winning performance that will stick with you.
[7.0/10]
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