Review for

Film: It Was Always Me (2003) [Running Time: 132 Minutes] Reviewed By: Emma Rodman, The Buffalo Daily, New York Starring: Farhad Khan, Brendan Sexton, Eliza Doushku, Marla Sokolov Written & Directed By: Amit Vaidya Rating: **** (4 Stars Max)

It Was Always Me is a brilliant in-depth critique of generation Y in all its glory and its demons. Helmed wonderfully by newcomer Vaidya, the film is a true testament of the ever-changing and always fickle younger generation. Not preachy and always inventive, It Was Always Me is one of the best films of the year.

From the opening sequence where roommates Dylan, Karim and Marissa are forced to part ways, it is evident that the film is treading waters rarely seen on the big screen. Fresh and uniquely shot, the film examines the lives of three New Yorkers in their mid-twenties, trying to succeed at work, at love and everything in between the two worlds. Somehow, regardless of how they try to balance it all, they struggle. As pointed by Dylan's character, they live in an "Oprahfied" world where they must believe that there is a deeper meaning to everything. As a result, we see a commentary of what our media-obsessed culture has done to its youth. Rather than learning to adjust and better understand the world, they fall into circles of self-loathing, judgment and confusion.

As witnessed by Karim and Marissa and their constantly evolving relationship, the film is able to show the audience that life goes on and it is a candy-coated, glossy world out there despite the depression, anxiety, and pain that too exists. The camerawork in the film is simply outstanding. Like other filmmakers before him, Vaidya has a wondrous eye for detail and layers the film beautifully with an amazing background score, vivid colors and ace cinematography. Kudos to the technical team for showing a New York we rarely see yet often imagine.

The performances are okay and the major weakness of the film. The ending also seemed too convenient especially without any real development of the Danica character. In an attempt to bring things full circle, the film leaves the audience wishing that the director stuck to his guns and didn't cop out for the traditional Hollywood ending instead.

Despite these flaws, the film is dazzling. I have seen and had to review countless films about the younger generations and it's amazing to me that when time came to review this film, I couldn't compare it to anything else. For its demographic, it is in a league of its own.

It Was Always Me is the small film that could... that could change the way we view cinema... that could truly be the first film about the Generation Y... that could be the start of a brilliant career for filmmaker Vaidya... that could be all of those things and more. Here's to hoping that people will find this film amongst the numerous films out there this holiday season. It Was Always Me doesn't disappoint. Four Stars.

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X-Language: en
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X-RT-RatingText: 4/4

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