CHASING THE RAIN is a powerful introspective rumination or exploration of the human condition as seen through the eyes of one wallowing in self-pity and self-righteousness, struggling to find himself. There is also a strong sense of self-loathing happening which isn’t addressed through dialogue, but rather through action, all of which is interesting to watch unfold, thanks in large part to the strength of Matt Lanter. This is an emotionally powerful film that speaks to the uncertainty of life and the searching within ourselves to discover not only who we are, but our path in life. Jansen asks the big questions that we are quite often not only afraid to ask, but more afraid to have answered.
Written and directed by Cindy Jansen with her feature film debut, CHASING THE RAIN is the story of Eric, a photographer trying to find his way in the world while holding on to the life he has. A non-linear structure takes us back and forth in time as tragedy strikes and Eric’s past unravels as his future becomes more and more questionable. Fearful that someone or something in the universe is inflicting horrible suffering on people with no rhyme or reason as to the indiscriminate tragedies, Eric determines to escape the same fate as so many he has witnessed at home and abroad.
With Matt Lanter tackling the role of Eric, the ensemble cast boasts the additional talents of William Russ, Hallee Hirsh, Yetide Badaki and Eric Tiede.
Initially, I wasn’t sure of Lanter as he felt kind flat at the film’s outset, but once Eric began falling apart physically and as a result thereof, mentally, Lanter brought some nuance and grey to the character. A supporting standout is Eric Tiede’s performance as Eric’s BFF Stu. Tiede constantly straddles the line between BFF and the way guys deal with and approach things, and the ambivalence of knowing he should be more honest with himself and with Eric. Tiede brings great emotional texture to the story, most notably in the film’s final act with a powerhouse emotional confrontation between Eric and Stu. There is a deep unspoken truth that both Tiede and Lanter bring out in each other that is riveting to watch.
It is the calm, caring pragmatism that Will Russ brings to the table as Ed that buoys the film and our hearts. He is wonderful. There is a genuine warmth and concern that emanates from him each time he is on screen. The dynamic of the relationship between Ed and Eric is wonderful to watch unfold as Ed never tries to shove anything down Eric’s throat. He lets him be, but also lets him know his hand is there to take if Eric needs it. Russ’s performance and the tone of Ed is actually very Christ-like; a very welcoming presence in the film.
Sadly, Hallee Hirsch has an annoying edge to her portrayal of Eric’s love interest, Vanessa, that goes beyond the character herself. Vanessa is the one most emotionally needy and wants what she wants the way she wants it, including demanding what Eric does or does not do. If you want to see Hirsch at her best and most enjoyable, go back in the movie time machine to watch her as Annabelle F-O-X in “You’ve Got Mail.”
Where the film does fall short is with the females, be it Vanessa or Eric’s strung-out mother or Stu’s girlfriend, the latter two of which disappear from the film completely in the third act.
Jansen and cinematographer Lon Stratton employ some nice cinematic structure with the use of flashbacks to Eric’s time in Kenya doing volunteer work, as well as the play with various tones of light and color to metaphorically speak to stages of Eric’s life. Works beautifully as identifiable time markers within the non-linear structure. Not to be overlooked is gorgeous and compelling lensing and editing during a life-changing plunge through ice and accompanying underwater sequencing; the come-to-Jesus moment of the film as we see Eric claw his way back up onto the ice, both physically and metaphorically. The contrast of Eric’s hallucinations with the inky blue-black darkness of the water is as powerful as the vibrancy of the sun and blue skies and the people of Kenya earlier in Eric’s life.
Unfortunately, feeling out of place is the use of voiceover of Eric reciting self-penned poetry.
But in the end, it comes down to the steady words of wisdom and calm that Will Russ brings. Ed is the rock in Eric’s world and in ours. “You have been so thirsty, but your cries are heard.” Killer metaphor.
Written and directed by Cindy Jensen
Cast: Matt Lanter, William Russ, Hallee Hirsh, Yetide Badaki and Eric Tiede
by debbie elias, 11/29/2020
