Review: Beach Pillows

Let your goose loose..........

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The power of the internet is a wonderful thing isn't it? This small indie picture came to my attention when the films twitter page favourited my review of The Grand Budapest Hotel. So out of curiosity I checked out the trailer for it and, like all good trailers should do, it drew me in and before I knew it I had bought the film on iTunes. The film surprised me so much, due to the fact I had never even heard of it, that I felt compelled to review it.

Written and directed by Sean Hartofilis, his first feature film follows the story of a once-promising writer Morgan Midwood, played by Geoffrey Arend, who works for his farther Henry (Richard Schiff) at the family furniture store. Working to save enough money to buy an engagement ring for his high school sweetheart he soon discovers that she has been making a fool of him by sleeping with another man. With his life in turmoil his carefree, underachieving, best friend Nick (Vincent Kartheiser) takes it upon himself to raise Morgan's spirits. However his attempts almost always end up in exacerbating Morgan's troubles further, resulting in Morgan taking the fall and being prosecuted for breaking and entering early on in the film. With a pending court date coming up and either two able to get their lives together, we follow them on a hilarious journey involving women, family, cops, and cons, whilst trying not to get swallowed under.

First off I have to say that this is a step-up performance from Arend as the lead who displays an amazing performance and showing great chemistry with Vincent Kartheiser, who show you that the truest of friendships can be formed by complete opposites. But credit to Sean Hartofilis for his direction in bringing out realistic and believable performances in not just the two leads but the whole cast.

The script, also written by Hartofilis, delivers a relatable story highlighting the self confliction within the two leads and coping with trying to find a place in the world. It almost has a similar comedic tone to the likes of Clerks (1994) and steers clear of the typical clichés, substituting for a more grounded, real world approach.

The story is perfectly paced with a satisfying ending and boasts a score that compliments the story by Michael Hughs featuring songs by The Deadly Syndrome and Deer Tick .

My only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen more development on Morgans relationship and conflicts with his parents, which at times I felt where side-stepped.

It's one of the hardest thing's to convey a believable and engrossing story on film but Sean Hartofilis's coming of age story knocks it out of the park. After viewing this small gem it feels like a crime that it hasn't gained the recognition it so deserves. I thoroughly recommend you to watch Beach Pillows and and to do the same to friends or family.

You can purchase the film via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/movie/beach-pillows/id753293525

Rating: ★★★★☆

By Matthew Trick