Christmas in Oregon: Love Lost and Found

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MOVIE REVIEW
Breakup Season
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Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 42m
Director(s): H. Nelson Tracey
Writer(s): H. Nelson Tracey
Cast: Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler, James Urbaniak, Brook Hogan, Carly Stewart, and Jacob Wysocki
Where To Watch: in select theaters and available to rent or buy on VOD beginning December 6, 2024, on Apple TV, Google Play, Amazon, Fandango at Home, Vubiquity/Verizon Fios, Hoopla

RAVING REVIEW: BREAKUP SEASON carves out a unique niche among holiday films, prioritizing something more profound and sincere than your traditional by-the-numbers holiday flick. Directed by H. Nelson Tracey, this film looks at the dissolution of a young couple’s love during the most lovely time of the year. Instead of carols and mistletoe, we get a realistic portrayal of emotional unraveling set against rural Oregon's chilly, isolated backdrop.

As the story unfolds, Chandler Riggs and Samantha Isler deliver persuasive performances as Ben and Cassie, whose idyllic relationship crumbles under the weight of unmet expectations and unspoken frustrations. The holiday setting, meant to be filled with joy, becomes an arena for a raw and poignant examination of their relationship. The ensuing snowstorm not only blankets the landscape but also traps these now strangers together, forcing a confrontation with the harsh realities.

This enforced closeness strips down their walls, challenging Ben and Cassie to reflect on what brought them together and what is pulling them apart. Riggs brings a nuanced vulnerability to Ben, whose personal aspirations are caught in limbo, while Isler portrays Cassie with a complexity that transcends the typical romantic lead. She navigates her character’s journey from love to heartbreak with a grounded and profoundly resonant performance.

The dynamic within Ben’s family further enhances the narrative. Ben's parents, James Urbaniak as Kirby and Brook Hogan’s Mia, provide a stabilizing presence amidst the emotional storm. Their interactions infuse the film with both warmth and realism, serving as a comforting counterpoint to the younger couple’s volatility. These moments of family interaction, especially those involving the reflective wisdom Urbaniak brings to his role, highlight the generational contrasts and similarities in handling romantic relationships.

Ben’s siblings, portrayed by Carly Stewart (Liz) and Jacob Wysocki (Gordon), introduce another dimension to the story. Their romantic troubles with their significant others mirror and contrast with Ben and Cassie’s, creating a story of interactions that underscore the film’s central themes of love and personal evolution. Stewart is a perfect addition to the film—a little sister that anyone with siblings could relate to!

Tracey’s directorial style is marked by attention to detail, particularly how the Oregon setting is woven into the story's fabric. The landscape serves not just as a backdrop but as something more, a part of the story, reflecting the characters' emotional states through the stark, wintry scenes that encapsulate their isolation. This metaphor is complemented by a deliberate pacing that allows the audience to immerse themselves in the characters' emotional journeys.

However, the film doesn’t explore all its narrative threads to their fullest potential. Subplots like Liz’s vlogging venture promise a modern take on relationship dynamics but remain underdeveloped. Almost as though it was planned to be a part of the story, then tossed to the side.

BREAKUP SEASON offers a deep, objective look at the complexities of human relationships through a lens that balances stark realism, honest drama, and a pinch of humor at the correct times. For those seeking a holiday film that offers more than just cheer and a predictable outcome, this film presents a refreshing and thought-provoking alternative.

#BreakupSeasonMovie

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[photo courtesy of STATIC FILMS, BUFFALO 8]

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