[rating:2.5/5]
Infidelity, jealousy, betrayal and rejection; these are the heavy themes director Ry Russo-Young’s strained indie “Nobody Walks” are built upon. While Russo-Young is successful in creating stunning visuals of Southern California in his proverbial Silver Lakes Gated Community, the film fizzles due to its lack of substantial characters capable of supporting the film.
The story itself is perhaps a tired concept: a young, attractive newcomer is welcomed into the arms of a simple, idyllic family as well as their lavish pool house. Stepfather Peter (played by the always charming John Krasinski) grows closer and closer to doe-eyed Martine (Olivia Thirlby, who is no longer just the best friend from “Juno”) while assisting her record audio for her prospective short film.
The two develop feelings for each other that create a rift between Peter and wife Julie (Rosemarie Dewitt). Much to the dismay of their strangely named-daughter Kolt (India Ennenga), Martine also takes a liking to Peter’s assistant David (Rhys Wakefield), the object of Kolt’s secret affections.
The story attempts to touch on the ideas of suppressed impulses and hidden desires but fails to hold up due to its characters being written rather flatly.
There is a large disconnect between actions and words. Where it seems justifiable that wife Julie is distressed when she spots her husband and Martine sharing an intimate moment during a party, her mounting attraction to one of her psychiatric patients (played by an unhinged Justin Kirk) goes unnoticed, the hypocritical nature of their relations is completely ignored.
Why likable husband Peter succumbs to Martine in the first place is glazed over as well, he is portrayed as the happy and previously very loyal husband. Even Martine, the source of all the family’s troubles, has a faint presence.
You would think that, as the subject of a married man’s newfound fascination, Martine would be a character of captivation and allure. Peter even admits to her that her “physical presence is actually painful.” In actuality, her character drifts somewhere between a selfish sleaze who has no problem being involved with a married man to an innocently blameless artist who is simply looking to dedicate herself to her film.
In the end, “Nobody Walks” suffers from weak writing. There is no attempt by Russo-Young or his co-writer Lena Dunham to create ample conflict that logically provokes the characters into their cheating ways. Rather, the film too heavily relies on sexual tensions to carry it through.
Russo-Young allows tensions to rise only to let them fall flat by the end. What is incredibly disappointing though is how such a beautifully crafted film is so hindered by its empty characters and unresolved repercussions left in Martine’s wake. While “Nobody Walks” is definitely a handsome picture, it will pass right through you with no impact.
[Contact fname=”Anais” lname=”Corrales” email=”acorra20@student.scad.edu”]
