Flutter

Director/Screenwriter: Eric Hueber

Cast: Lindsay Pulsipher, Glenn Morshower, Jesse Plemons, Jonathan Huth Jr.

Rating: 3.5/5

Flutter follows Jo Lynn (Pulsipher) and her struggle to provide for her son, who has severe narrow angle glaucoma.  In an attempt to treat his condition and prevent him from going blind, Jo Lynn starts growing her own marijuana to bake into his brownies.  As time goes on, the trouble of maintaining finances and her son’s “medicine” leads Jo Lynn down a desperate and dangerous path.  The film is full of nail-biting moments, and features a painfully, touching performance by Lindsay Pulsipher that you won’t forget.  Flutter is a gut-wrenching portrayal of how a mother’s love can drive her to do almost anything in order to protect her child.

About Mom and Dad

Director/ Screenwriter: Rachel Shepherd

Cast: Farah White, Brent Anderson, Katy Rowe, Alisha Revel, Johnny Mars

Rating: 3.5/5

What better way to celebrate your daughter’s upcoming nuptials than feuding with your husband over his recent unfaithful act.  Terri (White) has to deal with more than just her relationship problems, as her children seem to have gotten raveled up with their own matters of infidelity.  For the most part this film is well acted, with strong performances by Farah White and Brent Anderson.  But it’s the brilliantly written script that made me thoroughly enjoy this realistic, hilarious, and at times sad movie.  About Mom and Dad shows how the people we love most can cause our greatest anger and happiness.

I Believe In Unicorns

Director/ Screenwriter: Leah Meyerhoff

Cast: Natalia Dyer, Peter Vack, Julia Garner, Toni Meyerhoff, Amy Seimetz

Rating: 3/5

When there isn’t much going on in your life, and all you do is go to school and take care of your ailing mother; a first romance couldn’t come at a better time.  For Devina (Dryer), bad boy Sterling (Vack) is the perfect birthday present: excitement, sex, and an escape from reality all rolled into one!  However, relationships are never easy and it can be even more difficult when both parties involved may not be on the same page.  Devina sums it up best when asking her newfound lover, “Do you really like me or is it temporary?” I Believe in Unicorns is a compelling coming of age story that takes an uncomfortable look at the desire for an adventurous love.

Joe

Director: David Gordon Green

Screenwriter: Gary Hawkins, based on a novel by Larry Brown

Cast: Nicholas Cage, Tye Sheridan, Ronnie Gene Blevins

Rating: 5/5

15-year-old Gary (Sheridan) is desperate to find work so that he may be able to take care of his sister and mother who live in squalor.  His abusive, alcoholic father lends no helping had to his family, as he is lazy and only thinks to provide for himself.  Luck briefly turns around when Gary begins working for Joe, an ex-con who has gone straight but is still haunted by his past.  Joe is easily one of the best films of the year.  Nicholas Cage gives one of the best performances of his career and Tye Sheridan steals every scene he is in.  This powerful drama is one everyone must see when it opens in theaters April 11.

Check out the full list of films playing at the Dallas International Film Festival.