"Kisses"--Grade A
A little film. A giant journey. 2 kids about 11, bad family lives, live next door to each other outside of Dublin, Ireland. Starting in wonderfully gritty Black and White. A fitting backdrop for the bleak existence these children endure. Introduced to Dylan(Shane Curry), playing a handheld video game trying to block out the toaster rage of his violent father being thrown outside to "play", and we then meet Kylie (Kelly O'Neill), so sweetly telling a story about the "Sack Man" that kills children. Kylie being called inside because her uncle is there, and the dread plays across her face, and we know something has probably occurred between her and her uncle. Dylan's mom returns home, he goes inside, listens to his parents argue, his father hits his mother, and Dylan intervenes.
And that's the beginning of what turns into a whimsical, scary, cute, realistic, journey of two kids escaping, at least for a night, their home life. Once they are starting out of their "kip", color starts to seep into the frame, and we see these morose, cynical kids, come to life. Their little escape, this fabulous journey we get to take with them, is steeped in truth, yet is bound by magic. As their journey ends, we go back to black and white, but I believe they'll be able to bring that color back to each others lives any time they need or want to now. That's something, more than something, that's hope. And we all need a little of that.
The performances by these new actors is nothing short of spectacular. Especially Kelly O'Neill, who I hope, is able to act far into the future, she is truly transcendent. I can't wait to see what Writer/Director Lance Daly has in store for us next.
Until next time movie watchers! Remember to breathe.
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