I Used to Be Darker (2013)

Waste of time

Expected more

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Taryn (Deragh Campbell) is a runaway from Northern Ireland. She arrives at the Ocean City bus stop in Maryland with little warning. She doesn't know that her aunt Kim (Kim Taylor) and uncle Bill (Ned Oldham) are splitting up. Her cousin Abby (Hannah Gross) is home from her first year of college and is suffering from the breakup. Taryn and Abby tries to find some solace in their dysfunctional family lives.It's a lot of quiet long uncut scenes without dialog. There are some musical interludes. Some of the characters are musicians and music seems to be important for this movie. Snappy compelling dialog is not as important. That's really what's missing from this indie. Filmmakers Amy Belk and Matthew Porterfield filled this with some family dysfunction but doesn't take full advantage. The problems are never really discussed. It explodes more than anything. There are a few explosions but not much else. This needs to allow the characters talk about stuff and do stuff.

Seems to be like a trend in American stuff right now. At least with the films I saw at the festival. Movies with non-actors. Some kinda realism stuff, ya know? This DEF had style and was feeling some of it. Music was pretty darn cool in spots. Some parts were "hella" slow. Some with the parents were pretty okay. but ya gotta know its a weird film. If this movie sounds like it's right up your alley, by all means go and watch it. But to me most people this movie will still be weird! No not bad, just weird!I'm def interested in seeing this guys other films though. He has a "coolish" vibe going on.

Here we have a fantastic drama with such deep feeling being thrown here, and there like paint at a canvas. Every character in this movie comes out as a real person, and the story is so real, and intimate that you will feel drawn in. I was extremely impressed with the music, for a movie that would not be labeled a musical outright, the music deserves a lot of credit. The relationships between the various family members are all strained in different ways that will hit home for you at least once, and the reactions of the characters to each other's flaws, and problems will feel as real to you as watching people you know. Surprisingly I really Enjoyed this movie, it started out really badly, but there is a moment just a little ways in that bonds the movie to you, and then the music holds you there. I really recommend this to everyone, there is some language, but really it's joking about the difference in cultures and never malicious. If you like a good bit of drama, and really love the feeling of being a voyeur then this is a family that you should watch for just a little while.

What to do when your world is in turmoil? You escape. Taryn, a Northern Irish runaway seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in the USA only to discover that they are on a rocky road themselves. Taryn connects with Abby, her cousin and becomes a bridge of sorts as this family transitions into a new dynamic. This movie has some very emotionally charged scenes and shares the truth that no matter how bad you think you may have it, the grass is not always greener on the other side. In this movie it shares the tale of the realities and complexities of the modern family. Change is a constant force and no one is immune to the complexities of family dynamics. I saw this film as part of the Atlanta Film Festival