Search - Divergence on DVD

Unique & risky first-time director film

Steve Kuehl | Ben Lomond, CA | 05/25/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is supposed to be a performance film, but I found it to be stronger in the environment themed category. That being a film made up of moods set by the content of the surroundings being filmed, as I felt the performances were too weak, painfully overdone and visibly forced at times.

It tells a story of a wounded soldier temporarily staying Stateside until he gets cleared for going active again. He houses on the Jersey shoreline next to a grieving widow, all whilst he partakes in a shallow fling with the real estate agent who got him his place. There are plenty of shots containing shoreline, ocean views, birds and the local fauna. The remainder of the scenes contain average to forced portrayals of the people around our lead, who manages to be convincing as the war ravaged, PTSD-type soldier.

The DVD contains some thankfully deleted scenes and alternate ending, a making-of that decently covers the background of filming, a commentary and assorted pics/trailers. For me, Vanguard can put out some adequate indies, and this falls into a somewhat believable freshman film. I do not agree with how the story came together and what the characters tried to carry out towards the end, but I do not fault this film for that. So between a three & half star film and some semi-manageable special features (for the amount of deleted scenes there should have been a play all) I give it a depressing Sunday night rental vote."