Julien Neaves, Editor
Plot: A 12-year-old girl in a military film struggles to adjust after starting a new school the day before picture day.
Review: Written and directed by Kelly Pike, Picture Day (not to be confused with the 2012 teen comedy drama of the same name) is a brilliant coming-of-age drama that is as beautiful as it is heartfelt. The cinematography is vibrant, the music is enchanting, and the visual storytelling is subtle but impactful. Even without the sound on the story can be understood and enjoyed.
Actress Oona Mei Yaffe (Sleepy Hollow TV series, Before You Know It) is riveting as Casey, a young girl struggling for control, connection and stability as her family has moved to yet another military base. Yaffe pours herself into the role making every moment, every look, every word of dialogue rich and full of believability. Also delivering a great performance is Michelle Krusiec, who plays her rigid, put upon mother, Ayn. Rounding off the cast is Michael A. Perl as Casey’s stern military father Bill and Cole Zampas-Klean as her aggravating brother Michael, and both deliver in their roles.
In terms of story, the core plot is one that I have seen before in prior films. But kudos to Pike for making the material come alive and having the events feel organic. At no point does Picture Day fall into melodrama nor feel emotionally manipulative. It just feels like a real story, and a touching one at that.
Picture Day is an Oscar qualified film, and with its high quality in every respect, I will not be surprised to see it get some award nods and even wins.
Editor Jules’ Score: 9 out of 10
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Julien “Editor Jules” Neaves is a TARDIS-flying, Force-using Trekkie whose bedroom stories were by the Cryptkeeper, learned to be a superhero from Marvel, but dreams of being Batman. I love promoting Caribbean film (Cariwood), creating board games and I am an aspiring author. I say things like “13 flavours of awesome sauce”. Read more.