FILM INFO: When a computer programmer discovers he has a terminal illness he must race against time to save his marriage and make amends for a squandered life.
WRITTEN BY: Dave Ash DIRECTED BY: Dave Ash GENRE: Drama TIME: 98 minutes.
"Twin Cities" from writer director Dave Ash is one of those topsy-turvey films that really tries to mess with your mind. You think you have a handle on what's going on and then BAM! A complete switch around. The ideology of the first sixty or so percent is familiar territory for many of us. Relationship issues. The bane of many... well... relationships. In this case, our leading couple are married and expecting a child. Adding to these stressful times is a husband taking a stress break from work, and an author wife having issues revising and cutting back her upcoming book. An issue that also, as luck would have it, could be applied sparingly to this film. More on that later. Our leading husband John, gets a cancer diagnosis which is a great excuse for him to try and shed some of his sociopathic behaviors. Since he is a dying man after all, why not try and go out with some friends by his side right? Mainly however, it's his wife Emily he tries to reconnect with. Things seem to be looking up. As much as they could be looking up, all things considered. John also attempts to reconcile with his family receiving mixed results and even, gasp, begins trying to understand God. Mr. Dave Ash sets all this up brilliantly and then, just when you think you get it... it's ends with a bang. Or so I thought. You see reader, this is only some of the story. Those topsy-turvey twists I was talking about above? They start at this point and I gotta say, I didn't see them coming. Twists in film are usually awesome. The big twist in this one is no different except that maybe... it didn't happen at the right time. Still though... damn. I wasn't expecting that. Looking back I could say that there were clues, by way of a computer screen through-out the movie. Still though... The technical aspects of this movie are where things get a little strange. You see reader, technically this is a great film. With some nice camera work and spot-on audio, you really couldn't ask for a better independent, low budget film. The characters, especially John, played excellently by Clarence Wethern, and Emily, played superbly by Bethany Ford, bring these characters off the scripted pages with seeming ease. No small feat considering the nature of this film. I should also note that the supporting cast have no problems holding their own. I really have no complaints. The unusual issues plaguing this film are with the post production work. Mainly, the choices used when editing this movie. The short of it? It feels really long. The first sixty percent flies by, and then the crawling starts. I have a theory why, but explaining it without ruining the plot is tough. Basically... I feel too much time was spent pre-story twist. The build up felt perfect. The climax was on point... and then... well... still got lots of movie left folks. Sorry about that. You see. It isn't a bad edit pacing wise, not at all. It's the sudden drop to zero after the twist. If the "pre-twist" stuff was cut a lot shorter, I feel that would have eliminated the lengthy feeling of the film. Best way to describe it right now? It's like drinking ten cans of pop and getting a massive sugar rush. Then, when you think you're as high as you're going to be, and awesome things are happening... that slow come down from the sugar. Alternately, I believe the same effect could have been accomplished by shortening the film after the twist. Either way, the end result is the same. A slightly long feeling film. By about ten minutes. Especially the last quarter. In the grand scheme of things? Not really a big deal. There's still plenty to love. In the end, this was a great film visually. No doubt about that. As for the content itself? Maybe a hair long but no big deal. The good far outweighs the not so good. A unique and fresh concept acted out by some truly talented people. The fact it's easy on the eyes and ears is just the gravy on the potatoes. "Twin Cities" is definitely one to watch for if you're looking for something a little different. That's what indie film is all about, and this movie is a perfect example.
