Addiction, especially of the alcoholic nature, is always a challenge to depict in a movie. It’s an intense ordeal that surpasses the vices a person is attempting to cope with. The cycle of addiction is the lies an addict uses to drink, hitting rock-bottom, and trying to rise above it. The acceptance of sobriety is difficult to translate into a movie, which is why Carving a Life may be a victim of its own subject.
There is no denying that the directing is good and that the casting was spot on. However, there is something about Carving a Life that doesn’t captivate me or fulfill its purpose. Perhaps, it’s because I cannot relate to the topic. I rarely consume alcohol. To be fair, the best part of reviewing a film such as this is the introduction to the unfamiliar. Reviewers watch so many films that deal with subjects not experienced in their lives, so we must remain objective and avoid applying our own biases. Still, this isn’t a reason why Carving a Life doesn’t affect me as it should.
Carving a Life is not without its charms. The plot evolves in a very natural manner. The setting is quite nice. The pacing is good. Hats off to the director (Terry Ross) and production crew for the exceptional work. While the romance between Mitch (Tyler Bruhn) and Lauren (Karenssa LeGear) does not strike me as completely genuine, there were times the plot does allow them to offer viewers a couple of crucial, emotional moments. But that may be a negative for Carving a Life because the great moments are scarce.
All great movies, regardless of there genre and theme, must be memorable. Carving a Life, with the exception of some scenes, fall flat in this area. I’m surprised because of the setting, the casting, and the production had provided a perfect platform for an excellent romantic film with dark overtones. Don’t be discouraged. The movie is actually quite enjoyable to watch. I believe with a few changes it would have even been great.
In conclusion, Carving a Life is a romantic film that deals with alcoholism. With an expanded plot and more focus on the characters, the film would have hit its mark. Although certain scenes lacked a credible feel, I do encourage you to watch the movie.
Movie Rating: 3 stars.
Movie Ratings Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
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