STORYLINE: A high school senior’s class trip to Washington, D.C. is abruptly interrupted when she is separated from her classmates during a pizzeria shooting. She then embarks on a picaresque journey across the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Granted access to a variety of strange sects and cults, she encounters gatekeepers eager to win her over.

     As much as I emjoy blockbuster films, in all their shape and sizes, I equally enjoy independent films.  They also come in all shapes and sizes. Recently I went to see the independent film The Sweet East.

      Once the lights were dimming back om in the auditorium I was unsure how I felt about the story that was just told to me.  Lillian, the central character in the film, just seemed to float from one event to the next seemingly unaware of each events current relevance or why she seemed to participated in them.  Lillian had her journey and went home.

      Like an aging wine the film has appeared to grow nicely on me.  Reflecting back the film showed how fractured we are as a country through the eyes of a mutual observer, which creating an unbiased character in any kind of political film these days is a task unto itself that needs to be applauded.  In three clear acts the film shows three different extremists, on different points of the eastern side of the nation. Three different groups, each with their own extreme views, that try to show Lillian how they see the world. 

     The Sweet East could of easily of taken its story in a variety of violent and/or disturbing directions. Overall there is very little violence in the film.  In fact most of that very little violence is heard off screen and the viewer watches, in suspense as other characters react by leaving the scenario. 

    Lillian’s odyssey made for an intriguing piece of cinema.

      Until next time I will see you at the movies!