Family Ties and Hidden Lies

Read Time:3 Minute, 49 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Scrap
–

Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2022
Runtime: 1h 45m
Director(s): Vivian Kerr
Writer(s): Vivian Kerr
Cast: Vivian Kerr, Lana Parrilla, Anthony Rapp, Beth Dover, Khleo Thomas, Saxon Trainor, Stephanie Drake
Where To Watch: showing at the 2024 Lonely Seal Film Festival, Fort Smith International Film Festival, Phoenixville Film Festival, El Paso Film Festival, and Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival; for more information on the film, visit www.scrapthefilm.com

RAVING REVIEW: What does family mean? SCRAP exposes the complexities of secrets kept too long, where this group of characters grapples with the balancing act of dignity and our duty to our family. This film navigates the turbulent waters of lies, expectations, and individual pride with a narrative that captivates and resonates with our own stories of heart.

Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, SCRAP dives into the life of Beth, a single mother portrayed with grit and heart by Vivian Kerr (who also wrote and directed the film.) Beth's life is a facade of normalcy as she battles with a never-ending list of personal struggles while attempting to shield her daughter, Birdy (Julianna Layne,) from the harsh reality that Beth considers a failure. The film shows Beth's profound internal conflict as she wrestles with the fear of protecting her perceived world from her brother Ben, played by Anthony Rapp, and his wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla.) Living in LA, where every day is already a costly experience, only amplifies Beth's challenges, enhancing the film’s thematic tones.

The dynamic shifts as Beth has to move in with Ben and Stacy, who have been watching Birdy for her. This ups the already tense situation as old grievances resurface, causing tensions to simmer and eventually boil over. This is where SCRAP thrives, portraying the raw and unfiltered essence of strained relationships through dialogues that are as piercing as they are poignant. The film’s title cleverly encapsulates the dual nature of the storyline: the physical and emotional remnants Beth clings to and the metaphorical scraps of a life pieced back together amidst adversity.

Each character in the film, including the ensemble supporting characters, contributes unique challenges that propel Beth on her journey, layering the story with complexity and emotional gravity.

SCRAP transcends the typical family drama by critiquing the fixation on appearances. Family may be blood, but sometimes family is just those who understand and accept you that matter the most, related or not! It challenges viewers to look past the curated facades of “perfection” that dominate social media and confront the messy, often painful realities of personal identity and bonds we form. At its core, SCRAP is a poignant exploration of letting go—shedding the burdens of expectations and the illusions of a preordained life. The film shows that by releasing these weights, one can discover the profound beauty of forging authentic connections and navigating life's unpredictable paths.

Director, writer, and star Vivian Kerr delivers a compelling exploration of human frailty and the resilience required to confront and overcome life's inherent struggles. SCRAP invites its audience to a reflective journey, urging a contemplation of authenticity's real value in a world that values an image more than the heart behind it. This film stands as a testament to the power of cinema to explore and illuminate the human condition, making it a universally relatable and intensely personal cinematic experience.

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[photo courtesy of RUE DANGEAU, A SEASON OF RAIN]

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