Imitating real life, the comedy-drama “Nothing to Do” stretches out in a number of directions, some expected and some unexpected. It might be because this charming little film is based on a true story. Or it might be that “Nothing to Do” has everything to do with the script, quirky characters, and honest performances by some very talented key players.
The premise is simple enough: Radio jockey Kenny (Paul Fahrenkopf) must deal with a dying father, Irv (Philip Lawton). Complicating things is Kenny’s sister Rachel (Connie Bowman), who is ‘dying’ to help her father get well. The film delves into how different people react to a parent’s ultimate demise and how letting a loved one go with dignity and compassion has its obstacles.
Fiftyish Kenny displays the maturity to accept the fact that his father wants to let go and spend his last days at home. Hyperkinetic Rachel, on the other hand, refuses to accept the obvious and insists on dragging her father back into the hospital for more tests.
In typical true-life fashion, both siblings have crises of their own to deal with. Kenny has job issues he’s trying to sort out with his station manager. and Rachel faces the usual early 30s marital problems. And then there’s the budding romance Kenny has with his neighbor, touchy-feely Patti (Patricia Talmadge)–a Mother Jones middle-aged throwback who starts by offering the melancholy Kenny just what he needs—soup.
These ongoing father/sister relationship issues orbit about Kenny like a tetherball, swinging closer and closer to where he’s most vulnerable. What makes “Nothing to Do” interesting are the tangential dramas that keep it from cratering into your typical ‘old parent dying movie.’ The film poignantly illustrates how a loved one’s passing rarely happens in a ‘vacuum.’
Penned and directed by Mike Kravinsky, “Nothing to Do” is a heartfelt comedy with memorable performances by a gifted ensemble cast.
A story of family bonds that never die, “Nothing to Do” is now available on Amazon in the US and UK, and on iTunes.
Alex A. Kecskes is a published author of "Healer a Novel" and "The Search for Dr. Noble"—both now available on Amazon. He has written hundreds of film reviews and celebrity interviews for a wide variety of online and print outlets. He has covered red carpet premieres and Comic-Con events for major films and independent releases.
