Who doesn’t want to take their own road, chart their own course, on the journey of life? We all do. And that’s exactly what our lead character Brian does in first-time writer/director Brandon Buczek’s love letter to not only the struggling filmmaker, but the struggle within each of us to carve our own path, to follow our own dream and not that of our parents with YOUR OWN ROAD.
Brian is a wannabe filmmaker. But it’s not like jobs in the film industry are a dime-a-dozen in small town Ohio. As to be expected, his dad wants him to “get a real job”, but the only possible jobs in film production are in Los Angeles, all of which he applies to. And all of which he fails to even get an interview. But the day arrives when the call comes. He has an interview. One lone interview. Only problem is that it’s in Los Angeles and Brian doesn’t have enough money for a plane ticket. But he strikes upon a plan that involves his best friend Dan whose girlfriend just cheated on him (so he needs an escape) and a little bit of deception with Brian’s dad. In short. Road trip!
What should have been the perfect male BFF escape, however, turns into a bit of a debacle when Brian invites a high-school friend on whom he had a crush, and apparently still does, and Dan picks up a hippie hitchhiker. What can possibly happen with four millennials crossing the country in a race against time to get to Los Angeles? The answer? Anything and everything, especially when dad finds out about Brian’s little escapade.
With YOUR OWN ROAD, Buczek not only shows he has a grasp on story and character construction, but has an eye for visuals. Suspecting some of this story comes come from Buczek’s own experiences, the film is unfettered in its look, focusing its attention on the characters. And when it comes to those characters, Buczek has done a fine job of casting starting with Ashton Moio in a breakout role as Brian and quickly followed by Amir Malaklou as BFF Dan, Kym Jackson as hitchhiker Ariel and Cortney Palm as the somewhat troubled Ally. The chemistry among the actors is undeniable and quite enjoyable, as are the antics that unfold.
YOUR OWN ROAD is a touchstone for anyone who has ever chosen to follow their dream.
Writer/Director Brandon Buczek
Cast: Ashton Moio, Amir Malaklou, Kym Jackson and Cortney Palm
by debbie elias, 6/13/2017 (LA Film Festival review)
