A daughter remembers her father in Aftersun, the latest from writer/director Charlotte Wells.
In trying to make sense of the man, Sophie finds herself going back to a single holiday they shared. She was in her awkward pre-teen years and he was still a young man. They lounged on the coast in Turkey doing silly little things, wasting time, and trying to connect. Considering adult Sophie is prodding these memories to understand him, it’s clear they don’t totally get through to each other. Perhaps they never could given their awkward ages and strange relationship, but an effort is made, which is worth hanging on to.
This looks to be a woozy film, moving in and out of memories in a haze. That’s a difficult structure for any filmmaker to pull off, especially for a first-time feature director like Wells. She’s taking the jump after making several acclaimed shorts, and if the rave reviews from its festival run are any indication, she nails the whole endeavor.
Staring in the film is Normal People’s Paul Mescal as the elusive father, with the young Sophie being played by newcomer Frankie Corio. The film will really exist in the moments between them, so their chemistry will be key. Hopefully, they will make the intimate film feel full of life.
Aftersun is directed by Charlotte Wells and stars Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, and Celia Rowlson-Hall. It will be released in the US on October 21st and in the UK on November 18th. For international release dates, click here.
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