Navigating Familial Tensions on-Screen

Read Time:3 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Automatic Hate
–

Genre: Comedy, Drama
Year Released: 2015
Runtime: 1h 37m
Director(s): Justin Lerner
Writer(s): Justin Lerner, Katharine O'Brien
Cast: Joseph Cross, Adelaide Clemens, Ricky Jay, Deborah Ann Woll, Richard Schiff, Yvonne Zima
Where To Watch: available now at www.filmmovement.com

RAVING REVIEW: When the fast-paced beats of Boston streets meet the serene whispers of the countryside, magic happens. This is the cinematic charm we get in THE AUTOMATIC HATE. Here, under Justin Lerner's keen directorial eye, Joseph Cross’ Davis is shown transitioning from a city dweller to a seeker of family secrets. This story, painted in broad strokes, highlights the ever-compelling tug of our family roots.

Enter Adelaide Clemens as Alexis. Her performance? Simply put, it's mesmerizing. She's the wind pushing Davis and the viewers into a storm of feelings and revelations. Clemens effortlessly tackles the role’s complexities, presenting Alexis as unpredictable as a summer storm, teetering between wild passion and poignant moments of clarity.

Now, onto our leading man, Davis; as the narrative unfolds, so does Davis’s character. Beyond the big "aha!" moments, the subtle gestures, the unsure glances, and the stammered conversations give depth to his portrayal. These intricate moments, especially with Alexis, are the soulful notes in this visual journey, making Cross’s performance resonant and memorable.

The movie's visual palette is a treat. It captures the mood perfectly, notably in scenes where unspoken emotions threaten to overspill. It's more about the undercurrents of tension than any question left to decipher.

I’ve been a fan of Cassie (Deborah Ann Woll) since the first performance of hers I saw in MY NAME IS EARL. It’s only been upward momentum since, and her performance here is no exception. Stealing the screen with a distinct performance makes you question her every move.

Bringing their A-game, Richard Schiff and Ricky Jay are dynamic presences on screen. Their evolving on-screen dynamic resembles a slow dance where camaraderie shifts to rivalry. Their performances underscore the family issues at the film's core, offering viewers a lens into the movie's emotional heart.

Stepping back to see the broader frame, THE AUTOMATIC HATE unravels as an expedition into the depths of familial ties, complicated histories, and dark corners of lineage. It's a reminder that every family, much like a puzzle, has its shaded pieces, the stories kept away from prying eyes. Despite minor pacing missteps, it’s an odyssey worth embarking on, especially for those drawn to tales of bonds, secrets, and revelations.

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[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT]

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