[yasr_overall_rating]
A 30-year-old man denying his past is forced to confront the lingering influence of his mother after her death.
Writer/Director Johnny Greenlaw is guilty of gifting us with a nifty narrative fiction film entitled “Mommy’s Box.” Indeed, it is a combination of both clever casting and sensational story-telling. It showcases scenarios where genuinely good people are adversely affected by bad circumstances. Fate finds each character chasing to secure success, security and strength. Unbeknownst to all, their trials and triumphs will later gift them with clarity and closeness.
Often times, authors act solely as story tellers, for telling the tale is their primary passion. However, Greenlaw hands his audiences a story and screen time as the “annoyed at life” lead character Nicholas. Nicholas shows his struggles facially and vocally. His rigid, resentful tone builds scene by scene, as does his desire to drown himself in darkness. He is the younger sibling, while Joey acts as the awkward adolescent older brother, played by the humble and handsome Bill Sorvino. Joey holds his strife on his sleeve. He is oddly over the top in personality, strongly sensitive, and is underestimated and unfulfilled. Sorvino banks on body language to emit emotion, and every bit of joy and pain comes across crystal clear to the audience. Both characters are engaging in earning enlightenment of themselves and each other. Greenlaw and Sorvino are perfectly paired and positioned in their chosen roles. They are a symphony of symmetry both on and off screen, which will excite and enthuse audiences. Both men create characters who demonstrate struggles and sadness while coping with a chaotic caretaker they know as “Mommy.”
“Mommy” often allows her depression to drown her, precipitating a partial psychosis of sorts. This diva of destruction is also a soft soul suffering from the darkness of death’s toll. Gina Scarda, aka “Mommy,” brings immense intensity and dramatic depth to her character. Viewers will flip between wanting to scream at her or shed tears with her. Scarda also succeeds in sharing her own sexiness and sassiness to act as a developed defense to hide her character’s heartache. Strong yet scared; harsh and hurt is this female.
Greenlaw does decide to throw in two additional wild wing women for Nicholas – one is a nurturer and the other a close confidant. Jordana, played by Carly Brooke, is the owner of an old soul and a dowry of dreams. She and Nicholas share a commonality in music and mothers. Carly comes across appearance-wise as Kesha, and acoustically as Amy Winehouse. Looks and sound aside, she builds a character chock-full of life and spirit who seldom shows her scarred soul. Jennifer Dorcic signs on as Hayes, and we are led to believe she is Nicholas’ former flame. She is a steadfast safety net for the family, despite her implied inability to stabilize security in her own situations. Hayes is the “pal” version of the parent in this film. Jennifer and Johnny’s obvious fawning through friendship is real and riveting. Dorcic’s performance projects a brazen and bold woman whose heart is hardened by deep disadvantages. Achievement in acting is developing duality to ensure emotion, and Jennifer succeeds in a big way.
One main movie line loved by this reviewer is the following: “You can’t fight life – the harder you fight it, the harder it fights you.” This was quoted by Chris Tully, who plays a homeless street singer who bonds with Nicholas. This relationship is intricate, as it demonstrates that love is limitless, and friends can truly be family.
Mention must also be made of the film’s composer of canticles, Paulo Coelho. He is a first class musician whose tunes were tailored to fit the theme and tone of this project.
In conclusion, this film offers a trio of teaching: learn, love, and let go in life. Take a trip to the theater and discover the delight that is “Mommy’s Box.”
For more information about the movie, please visit the Official Website
Mommy's Box – Trailer from Johnny Greenlaw on Vimeo.
