Ballast (2008)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Lance Hammer

Writer:

Lance Hammer (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A drama set in the Mississippi delta, where one man's suicide affects three people's lives.

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Single Mother | Gun | Loss Of Brother | Home Schooling

Awards:

10 wins & 14 nominations

Cast

Micheal J. Smith Sr.	...	Lawrence
JimMyron Ross	...	James
Tarra Riggs	...	Marlee
Johnny McPhail	...	John
Ventress Bonner	...	Teen
Jimez Alexander	...	Teen
Jean Paul Guillory	...	Teen
Marcus Alexander	...	Teen
Marquice Alexander	...	Teen
Lawrence Jackson	...	Teen
Jeremy Jordan	...	Paramedic
Steve Cabell	...	Paramedic
Samuel Dobbins	...	Ambulance Driver
Neil Pettigrew	...	Dispatcher (voice)
Sanjib Shrestha	...	Dr. Shrestha

Runtime:

USA:96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Not Rated | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Camden, Mississippi, USA

Company:

Alluvial Film Company

'Hammer Time'

Ballast

A truly great movie speaks for itself, without previous knowledge necessary to understand or comprehend. And yet, in spite of this rule, watching "Ballast"—an undeniably great movie in my humble opinion—I felt that to fully appreciate its vision one has to hear it's creator, Lance Hammer, speak about his debut feature.

Which I have, as Mr. Hammer visited my school (Syracuse University) last Tuesday.

A very down-to-earth kind of man, Lance explained the intent behind his movie and his style of approach. His original inspiration was to capture the feeling, atmosphere and lifestyle of the delta area in Mississippi. In order to achieve this, he used non-actors whom he did not even give a script too: for although he had a script, he wanted them to find their way through the story naturally.

Understanding this mindset and approach, is key to understanding the movie. In Lance's vision, it is primarily about creating atmosphere; shedding light onto a lifestyle not often talked about, and doing so in the most naturalistic of ways.

In this he succeeds. The trio of leads—Lawrence (Michael J. Smith), Marlee (Tara Riggs), and James (Jim Myron Ross)—never seem to be performing. They do not come across as actors portraying roles, but rather just as people reacting to each other and their surroundings.

The mostly improved story, is so simplistic and minimal, the movie seems almost like a documentary. Nothing happens too perfectly, and just like in real life, things that might be dramatic arcs in some movies, are just inconsequential details here. For example, James is involved with a couple of local drug dealers at one point. He owes them money, and is beaten up by them on several occasions. But after one particularly intense encounter, we never see these two again. The threat of their return hangs in the air yet this plot point is never resolved. They do not return. There is no neat consolation to this conflict: just as in life not everything comes to an understandable conclusion.

The dreary tone of the movie is also enhanced by a lack of music. Hammer does not try and manipulate our emotions in any way, much like he doesn't judge his character's actions. Nothing is shot in a melodramatic way: everything simply happens, that's the way it is, and we are left to judge for ourselves.

As a last comment on the movie itself, it is full of beautiful imagery. Often the camera is shuddering, or looking upon something quite ordinary, yet the lighting and crispness of each composition is absolutely gorgeous.

Interestingly, when Lance was speaking to my peers and I, he revealed that although he was offered many deals after his film won prizes at Sundance for direction and cinematography, he turned them down. Not only deals for bigger, more studio movies, but also distribution deals. He decided to self-promote his movie and not give it a big theatrical release.

Although I personally wish he would have released it wider, his decision to self-market is one I respect and admire. What I did not find admirable about Lance was his complete dismissal of more commercial films. He said he had no respect for the people who make them. Although, his only experience in Hollywood film-making having been working on Joel Shcumacher's "Batman" movies, I can understand where he's coming from. He also admitted certain directors, like Paul-Thomas Anderson, could work the studio system and still produce high art.

Don't misunderstand me though: I believe Lance is a very talented, insightful man. I just wish, having seen what he accomplished with this movie, that he get's to show his genius to a much wider audience. 9/10