Let’s get weird.
Spring is another film from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, who are quickly becoming a couple of my favorite filmmakers. Seriously, give these guys a watch.
I will try to keep this review spoiler free, which also means that it will be somewhat vague. Spring is an interesting movie that ranks up there with some of the best horror/sci-fi films I have seen. However, I do think this is the weakest of the Benson/Moorhead collaboration. Now, I do not mean that as an insult, the fact that a mostly great film is their weakest is something most filmmakers dream of. Due to this, I think Spring is a perfect entry point for people to experience these new storytellers.
We follow Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci) who seems like a good guy but has a lot of problems. Aside from drinking too much and displaying a bit of an anger problem, his mother passes away. We get to know him as he is mourning her and ends up getting into a brawl with some local gangsters. Wayward, hunted, and alone, Evan makes the bold move to go ahead and travel.
Before continuing the review in earnest, the scene with Evan and his mother are excellently film. We get to know he has a kind heart but is a flawed individual. This sort of character building doesn’t hammer the audience with exposition—stuff isn’t spelled out for you here. I love the organic storytelling of these films.
Evan chooses Italy (because why not?) for his impromptu retreat from responsibility. While in Italy he meets some interesting characters, travels, cries, drinks (a lot), and seems to be trying to find himself but doesn’t know where to begin.
Enter Louise.
After a brief encounter a bar, Evan begins to pursue Louise who finally relents to a date. The film is part romance, and the romantic moments are charming. Both characters are funny, likable, and seem to be searching for something. The inner loneliness of both seems to be ever-present.
However, Louise is hiding something. The nature and meaning of what is actually happening is slowly given to us as things begin to rapidly spiral out of control. In a mixture of horror, philosophy, comedy, romance, and drama we get a unique narrative.
I do have some gripes with the ending, but I will not put them here. Give this one a go. I think you’ll enjoy it. Also, let me know what you thought of the ending.
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