Robyn Candyce
Written and directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (“American Splendor”, “The Nanny Diaries”), based on the novel by Eleanor Henderson, set in the 1980’s “Ten Thousand Saints” really captures the value of being young and enjoying your youth, while also showing that we never really grow older, just wiser.
While the film tells the story of multiple characters, it centers around Jude (Asa Butterfield, “Hugo,” “Ender’s Game”) goes to live with his father Les (Ethan Hawke, “Sinister,” “Boyhood”) in New York after his best friend Teddy (Avan Jogia, “Victorious,” “Twisted”) dies unexpectedly. His move leads to a string of events which leads to building genuine friendships with the least likely of people, Eliza (Hailee Steinfeld, “True Grit,” “The Homesman”) the girl carrying Teddy’s baby. The film also stars Julianna Nicholson (“Law and Order: Criminal Intent) as Harriet – Jude’s mother – and Emile Hirsch (“The Girl Next Door,” “Bonnie and Clyde”) as Johnny – Teddy’s Brother.
Although at points throughout the film it seems unclear what type of story it is that the writer/directors are trying to tell – is it a coming of age story, is it a love story, is it a story about coping – and which character’s story it is they’re telling, the film is well directed and the script is well written. It combines clever wit with heartfelt and sometimes heartbreaking prose, add a cast that isn’t nowhere near short on talent, providing top notch performances and you have the recipe for a very good drama.
As both a critic and an audience member I found the film enjoyable, and well worth seeing in theaters.
