Film Review Fridays--In Search Of (2008)

photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org

The 2008 indie film In Search Of was written and directed by Zeke Zelker. It was screened in New York and in London in October 2008 during the London Film Festival, where it was one of two winners of the From Here to Awesome Film Festival. In November 2008, the film made its theatrical debut in Allentown, PA.

Just as the indie film I reviewed last week, The Other America, the cinematography is raw and gritty. It was shot in Allentown, PA and the Lehigh Valley during the course of a year, on both S16mm and 35mm film. In addition, various cameras were used including the Krasnogorsk camera.

In Search Of is a film that is about sex, the repercussions of actions, manipulation, love, deceit, revenge, attraction, pressure, ego, wealth and all other things that fall in between. We’re shown how decisions can force bad situations on the people involved. Zelker examines the lives of 10 characters that use sex to get what they want out of life. Andy (Keith Nobbs) is a high school football player who is a victim of peer pressure from his teammates. Lauren (Tracy Toth) is cheating on her husband with her “soulmate.” Lauren’s son Jack (Michael Rady) seems to use sex as power, manipulating everyone in his path with his wealth. Dave (Jack Barley) is struggling, trying to keep up a certain lifestyle standard that his girlfriend is accustomed to, so he starts a business that may or may not have been the wisest thing to do.

I actually enjoyed this film as well. The plot was decent and entertaining, and for the most part believable. You know at least one of the characters in the film; they’re your co-worker, a friend, or a family member. I think Zelker could have had fewer characters to make the plot a bit more cohesive. Plus having less characters would have made it easier to spend more time cultivating and completing some of the storylines. Don’t get me wrong, I think he did a great job, but he slightly loses track of a few whose stories might have been interesting. Overall, In Search Of is a good watch. Check out the full-length film below (via hulu.com). Enjoy!!!

GRADE: B-

In Search Of trailer

See the full-length film