Here’s a little drama that’s just right for those who enjoy a slice of life that may even be comparable to their own. Told in three separate stories, the film has a common thread that works its way through the same one day in their lives. With a story that’s not complicated, the movie Walden: Life in the Woods is nicely acted, directed with some excellent cinematography.
Each of the characters wakes up one morning and find that their lives are about to change. Alice Lancaster (Lynn Cohen), a women in the twilight of her life is in a nursing home suffering with the onset of dementia. Ramirez (Demián Bichir) is the first one out of bed in his household and gets breakfast ready for his wife and two girls before going to work at Alice’s nursing home. And our final subject Guy (Erik Hellman) awakens alongside his partner for a year to get dressed for a visit to Alice Lancaster, his grandmother.
On this unforgettable day however, Ramirez is taxed with decisions involving keeping his homestead, dealing with one of his workers and getting the meds for his daughter’s long illness. He will have to face his boss, the pharmacist and a loan officer. As for Guy, he’s trying to keep his life together juggling the new love life with his companion Luke (Tony LoVerde) and making sure Alice has the proper care and comfort. Luke, however has the afternoon planned for a hike in the mountains where they will celebrate their first year together.
At the nursing home, Ramirez has already been taxed with the job of convincing the help to take a cut in pay. Alice has already had her morning pills and has started drawing on her tablet. Guy and Luke show up at the nursing home to introduced Alice to their relationship and the story goes on from there bringing each of the main character’s lives full circle.
Director Alex Harvey does a terrific job of keeping his three stories separate, but yet interesting enough to show the emotions, challenges and trials in the same circle. It shows how each character handles the problems that most persons deal with every day including friendships, how they come to grips with important decisions and fitting into the social norms.
The acting is extremely good with special kudos to Lynn Cohen as Alice. She does a very nice job of staying in character, dealing with her past and augmenting her daily routine. Looking thru some of her belongings she finds a thing of the past with a realization that her search had been completed. At 86 years old Lynn has amassed 110 credits in acting that has included film and TV. If you are a fan of Sex and the City, you’ll remember her in the reoccurring role of Magda in both the HBO Series and motion pictures.
Walden Life in the Woods has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains language, brief nudity, drug use, sex. The film has been released on DVD and VOD.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A nicely acted, directed and produced film. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Demián Bichir, Lynn Cohen, Chris Sullivan, Erik Hellman, Tony LoVerde, J.T. Miller, Jamie Horton.
Director: Alex Harvey
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, language, brief nudity, drug use, sex
Genre: Drama
Running Time: 1 hr. 44 min.
Video Release Date: October 1, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: November 4, 2017
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Subtitles: Closed Captions
Number of Discs: 1 disc
Distributed by: Virgil Films
Released on: DVD, VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
