Chasing Optimism
The first 20 minutes of Chasing the Rain are a mystery. The story does not seem to be going anywhere, but after a few minutes it becomes clear that this is not going to be a conventional story. Instead, the author uses the metaphor of rain as relief to create an interesting and unique read.
Eric returns to his home country after a year of service in Kenya. He’s filled with questions about the mission and what he learned, but also with a renewed determination to help others. He takes a job at the mall, but it’s not as great as he thought it would be. But he’s able to continue volunteering and making a difference in his community. Then he meets a girl with a nice ‘normal’ family and he believes things are working out.
The disconnection thought is a dangerous one because it can lead to hiding when things go wrong. The slide from fitting in and creating a pleasant day-to-day can be subtle, but it’s also inevitable and unforeseeable. It feels natural and tangible, like the understated descent of someone ill-equipped to manage and unused to receiving heartfelt assistance. ..
Chasing the Rain is a powerful and emotional story about a woman’s journey to find her voice and find herself. The music is perfect to help the viewer feel comfortable with the story while also providing a sense of peace.
The film’s natural lighting and cinematography by Lon Stratton create a realistic quality, neither softened nor glaring, but pointedly clear. Jansen knows her message but just because she refuses to give her lead an easy victory, doesn’t mean there isn’t a win to be had.
In an interview with TheReviewGeek, Director Jansen talks about her new film, “The White Knuckle”. She discusses the idea of extreme suffering and how it’s often seen as a moral issue. She also discusses the challenges that come with making a film about such a topic.
The dividing line is less about having and not having, and more about those who get it and those who don’t understand the question. It’s a cycle of relentless dehydration of spirit; a slow uncapturable leak dripping past into present like water erosion.
Eric has a recurring dream of a Kenyan woman who lost her baby to drought. In the dream, she tells him that she came to this place to feel normal – but instead, she feels like an outsider. The most poignant line in the dream is uttered in Kenya: ‘I came to this place to feel normal. And I feel like an outsider here.’ With an unspoken piece left hanging in the air – ‘by comparison.’ ..
Matt Lanter stars in the film as Eric, with facial expressions that couldn’t be more different from his role as Wyatt in Timeless. As Eric, he’s gauche, embarrassed, delighted, enraged and horrified. You may recognize him from a slew of Star Wars and Marvel TV series as well as Pitch Perfect 3, Disaster Movie, and Star-Crossed. ..
Eric Tiede’s helpfully performed Stu is a welcome addition to the proceedings. He provides breaks in the action that add a bit of levity, and he leads the bulk of the lighter moments. His performance is a great asset to Modern Family.
The film is about a group of teens who are forced to leave their comfortable lives in the city for a new, harsher reality. It’s not a family movie - there’s a gritty reality of folks living outside the societal norm. It’s not graphic, but certainly subject matter where you’d want to guide younger teens.
“Life’s little frustrating messages are translated in this movie,” the film’s director, David Lynch, said. “Bad things happen to good people.” ..
Chasing the Rain is a thought-provoking film that explores the idea of change and how it can be achieved. It is a great film for those who are looking to reflect on their own life and what they need to do in order to change it for the better.
