ALL THESE SMALL MOMENTS: A Tender Coming-Of-Age Dramedy

Over the past few years there has been an abundance of riches as it concerns coming-of-age teen dramas. Unlike recent genre entries such as Love, Simon with its aims of inclusion and Eighth Grade with its commentary on the influence of social media’s role on teens, All These Small Moments goes back to basics, foregoing a contemporary hook completely. The film, however, possesses an uncommon honesty in its exploration of timeless themes related to growing up as we examine a young man and his unconventional infatuation with a woman in her 30’s.

With the iconic Molly Ringwald in a key role as the main protagonist’s mother, one can’t help but be reminded of past films of the 80s that sought to treat teen-oriented stories with an increased level of insight and maturity rather than the typical raunch associated with the genre. Writer and director Melissa B. Miller Costanzo’s feature debut touches on the complex nature of relationships with a stunning visual eye, resulting in a thought-provoking journey into the ill-defined nature of transitioning into adulthood.

An “Old Soul” Who Needs To Grow Up

The film quickly takes us to present day New York City as we follow Howie Sheffield (Brendan Meyer), a teenager who seems adrift from his life. Howie is characterized as a young man with an old soul who seems disinclined to take part in the juvenile activities of his friends or little brother (Sam McCarthy), and is also devoid of any interest in bonding with other students as he consistently rebuffs the friendly advances of a young girl named Lindsay (Harley Quinn Smith). All Howie wants to think about is Odessa (Jemima Kirke), the alluring 30-year-old woman he sees every day  on the bus who he is determined to become better acquainted with. The only problem is that Howie has never exchanged a single word with this woman.

It is quickly revealed that Howie’s home life is on the brink of collapse as his mom (Molly Ringwald) and dad (Brian d’Arcy James) seem to be in a rut and have fallen out of love with one another. As Howie quietly unravels from the lack of stability present in his family, he seems to increasingly find solace from this turbulent time through his infatuation with Odessa. When fate intervenes and Howie is able to interact with Odessa one day, the two strike up a surprising bond that in the process reveals some harsh truths to the young man about the complexity of love and the imperfect nature of relationships.

Awkward Silences Filled With Meaningful Symbols

There is a large degree of authenticity in All These Small Moment’s portrayal of adolescence and the pivotal role that awkwardness plays in this. From Howie’s interactions with his other classmates at school to his parents’ feeble attempts to work out their differences, awkward silences pervade every corner of the story. These painful silences are filled with an abundance of vibrant symbolism and visual storytelling, which serve to drive home the subtler themes of the film.

Some of the film’s most powerful moments occur without a single word spoken, such as when Lindsay is unable to reach Howie as he is reciting a poem about Odessa to his English class. The visual of the room being drenched with sunlight with only a small pane of glass separating the two artfully portrays Howie’s hopeful delusions and the way they are cutting him off from the imperfect, yet promising reality that he could experience with Lindsay.

The Troublesome Allure Of A Fantasy

The uncomfortable yet realistic conversations between most characters also offer a noticeable contrast with the effortless exchanges between Howie and Odessa. Decisions such as this allow the audience to better understand Howie’s mindset, as it is apparent that Odessa serves as a much-needed breath of fresh air from the perceptibly mundane relationships surrounding the young man. It also highlights the almost storybook quality of their relationship but also foreshadows the fact that the bond with this virtual stranger may be too good to be true and is potentially not as ideal as Howie believes. This is all no doubt aided by the natural chemistry between the two actors.

Speaking of the acting, Brendan Meyers, who provided strong supporting work in the 2014 thriller The Guest, is perfectly cast in the central role. Meyers manages to perfectly convey the all too relatable heartbreak that comes from a teenager slowly discovering that reality isn’t always pleasant, and love and relationships are far from perfect.

Molly Ringwald is also particularly effective as Howie’s mother Carla, as she painfully (yet humorously) attempts to reconcile her duty as a mother with her growing resentment for her husband’s decision to leave her. Scenes such as an uncomfortably humorous family dinner at an Italian restaurant are a strong showcase for Ringwald, as she attempts to appease her son’s worries, but can’t help blurting out a caustically honest appraisal of the situation.

Conclusion: All These Small Moments

All These Small Moments is chiefly about the imprecise and surprisingly scattershot process of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. It raises some resonant ideas about the complicated nature of relationships and the idea that true love involves coming to appreciate someone’s flaws just as much as their positive traits.

Ironically, sometimes the best way to grow up may mean acting your age and not thinking so far ahead that you miss out on the enriching relationships that are right in front of you.

What did you think? How does it compare with recent coming-of-age dramas? Let us know in the comments below!

 All These Small Moments will be released in U.S. Theaters January 17, 2019 and On Demand and Digital HD January 18, 2019.

Originally Published at Film Inquiry 1/16/2019

https://www.filminquiry.com/all-these-small-moments-2019-review/