CIFF - Bomber is a film to tuck in your shirt pocket

Bomber

Wow. So far, this is the only "Excellent" rating I have given at the event. This film is built on the backs of three fabulous performances. The story itself is decent, but the execution is what carries this film to the top of my list thus far.

The story of a frustrated but sensitive and loving son, Ross, traveling with his parents, Alistar and Valerie. They set out from England by car for a small town in Germany. See what mean about the story? It's pretty cut and dry. It's not the change so much as the unfolding of these characters that's beautiful. The decomposition that has taken place in their lives is sifted through and separated, sod from soil. It is a set of often painful realizations driven home through the subtle undertones of humor and lighthearted play.

There is a back and forth of who is there for who in this film. First Ross is there to send his parents off on their journey, then he is there to actually drive them on their journey. His mother then lends Ross her ear and comfort as he deals with pieces of his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend. But, ultimately it is Ross that needs to be there for his parents as they realize their discontent with each other.

You can almost hear hope humming in the background of the film. But, it still isn't necessarily the "everything's going to be alright" ending. It's more of a realization that these people have a lot to learn about themselves and that they've begun that journey together as a family.

This film: A-