Up There (2019)

I went to watch this movie mostly to support film making in my home state of Michigan. I wasn’t expecting much but both my husband and I agreed it’s one of the best we’ve seen this year. The heart of the story is based on the aftermath of a real crime committed in the small UP town where the film was shot. One of the film makers lived there during that time and the film explores the impact it had on her, and how she and the other main characters deal with their unresolved problems. It’s touching, engaging, funny, and relatable. Zoe Kanters’ performance is a stand out. She has “it” – that inexplicable quality that I predict will make her a star. Amazing what these three young filmmakers could do on a small budget. And of course the setting and local characters are the icing on the cake!

The pacing of this movie gives you time to settle in and grasp the the in-depth character development, this is not a movie to check your social media while watching. The dialogue and story-line, both of which are nuanced, require attention and that’s why i suggest that you free download the full movie then watch it with care. There is a lot brewing beneath the surface and like most good movies, twists, turns, and a certain level of ambiguity. These are characters with depth and conflict , each struggling with their own narrative. The balance is felt in the humor, and there were several parts of the movie I laughed out loud. The actors performances carry this film. I really enjoyed it!