Somewhere Slow (2014) – Film Review

Director: Jeremy O’Keefe
Writer: Jeremy ‘Keefe
Actors: Jessalyn Gilsig, Graham Patrick Martin, David Costabile, Robert Forster
Rating: 14A
Runtime: 96 min

Characters are an important aspect of any film. A character does not have to be likeable or even relatable to be effective, but they should generate some sort of emotional response in the audience, whether it is positive or negative. Director Jeremy O’Keefe’s film Somewhere Slow (2014) boasts an intriguing concept, raw and emotive filming, and solid direction. Where the film falters is with its main character, who is vapid and one-dimensional, and not in a particularly interesting way. Fortunately, a fascinating secondary character is present to steal the show, and although the audience’s focus may not lie where it was intended, the film presents a successful story nonetheless due to his presence.

Anna Thompson (Jessalyn Gilsig) is struggling through her life with an eating disorder and an overbearing husband when she discovers that she has been let go from her job as a medical sales representative. In a moment of panic, she becomes involved in a deadly gas station robbery, and makes the unconscious decision to leave her old life behind and enter into the unknown. On her journey, Anna meets Travis Tratten (Graham Patrick Martin), a teenage Mormon on the run from his religion and hiding a few secrets of his own. Although they are very different individuals, Anna and Travis are both travelling towards self-discovery, and are able to find something healing in each other. Eventually, the two begin an unconventional relationship, and begin to work through their various problems together.

The style of Somewhere Slow is simple to the point of sparse, yet this technique is highly effective in creating a portrait of real life. There is no false glamour here, in the filming itself or on the faces of the actors, who are often revealed without makeup or alterations. The film is also shrouded in mystery, and therefore revels in a slow pace that reveals things to the audience deliberately and with care; when climaxes do appear, they build in intensity gradually, bringing an audience along for the ride until they are at the edges of their seats. Travis in particular is a bit of an enigma, appearing carefree and wild but gradually revealing dark and tragic truths. Director O’Keefe and actor Gilsig’s careful handling of this character results in the creation of a delicate young man who it is easy to love but difficult to understand, and as more and more is revealed, an audience becomes increasingly invested in his fate.

Although Travis is meant to be a secondary character in this film, he is the individual to whom an audience’s attention and emotions are drawn. Channeling a young Leonardo DiCaprio in both physical appearance and acting style, Martin steals every scene from his co-star Gilsig, who seems vapid and a bit flat. The film may not be about him, but it is Travis who a viewer really cares about, and Travis who a viewer wants to know more about. A shift in focus from the flat and characterless Anna, and onto the intriguing Travis, would have resulted in a very different and, frankly, more interesting work. There is still enough of this character present, however, to maintain attentiveness in the film as it is.

Somewhere Slow offers an absorbing story that reveals the major effects that a split second decision can have on a life spiraling out of control. The film is complimented by raw, real filming and an effective soundtrack, and although the film does lack an interesting protagonist, the characters this individual meets along her way are fortunately strong enough to make up for all that she lacks. The film also reveals the emerging talent of young actor Graham Patrick Martin, and should be applauded for that contribution; hopefully, it will not be long before this talented individual appears on the silver screen again.