PLOT: In a small town in the early eighties, the closing of the local roller-disco causes the nineteen-year-old rink manager, and his friends, to re-examine their lives.
REVIEW: SKATELAND is a fairly sweet coming of age drama/ eighties nostalgia piece, that has more than a few similarities to films like THE LAST PICTURE SHOW, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, and ADVENTURELAND. While it’s certainly not operating on the same level as those films, I nevertheless found myself becoming awfully fond of SKATELAND as the film went on.
It’s just a fun, pleasant film, which was a sharp contrast to some of the heavier films I saw at the fest. The talented young cast, led by Shiloh Fernandez, and Ashley Greene is extremely likable, which is extremely important for a film like this. I’ve never heard of Fernandez, but he makes a solid lead. As for TWILIGHT-er Ashley Greene, I thought she was a wee bit too drop dead gorgeous to be playing a character that’s supposed to be a wallflower, but, alas, this is a movie- where everyone gets to be beautiful. She’s does solid work, proving that Kristen Stewart’s not the only TWILIGHT alum with acting chops.
However, the big standout in the cast had to be Heath Freeman, who plays Greene’s older brother. He’s the small-town hero that everyone looks up to (that naturally, isn’t all he seems), and he’s excellent. Freeman also co-wrote the film, so he probably saved the best role for himself. Imagine Matthew McConaughey, in DAZED & CONFUSED- minus the scumbag factor, and you’ve got a good idea of the type of character Freeman’s playing.
RATING: 8/10
Additional Sundance reviews:
CATFISH –
THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT –
ANIMAL KINGDOM –
FROZEN – WELCOME TO THE RILEYS – SYMPATHY FOR DELICIOUS – BLUE VALENTINE – BURIED – HOLY ROLLERS – TUCKER AND DALE VS. EVIL – THE RUNAWAYS –
HESHER–
HIGH SCHOOL–
JACK GOES BOATING–
THE KILLER INSIDE ME – CYRUS – HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE – NOWHERE BOY – MOTHER AND CHILD – GET LOW