Director: Zach Brown
Writer: Zach Brown (Screenplay)
Starring: Shawn Pyfrom, Julia Voth, Elliot Sancrant, Mariana Novak, Joseph Curtis Callender, Sophie Kargman, Hannah Victoria Stock, Chase Fein
Plot: A renowned photographer, Adrian’s unique style of shooting drug addicts has made him a local-celebrity. But there is a problem; life imitates art as Adrian parties hard with trophy-girlfriend Liz to drown out a painful past. When his sister suddenly dies, leaving him sole guardian of her 9-year-old daughter, Adrian must face his deepest secrets.
Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Verdict: Hard Hitting Drama
Story: Hard Surfaces starts as Adrian Jacobs (Pyfrom) a celebrity photographer whose style involves taking photos of drug addicts, which has seen him become one of the best in the business, he has a beautiful girlfriend Liz (Voth) which sees them enjoy the party lifestyle.
When Adrian’ sister and her wife are killed in an accident, the will names Adrian as the sole guardian of their daughter Maddy (Stock). Adrian wants to take her in, but Liz doesn’t want Adrian to make this decision, with everything building up between the couple this decision will change their lives, will change Adrian’s lifestyle too as he gets used to having a child around.
Thoughts on Hard Surfaces
Characters – Adrian is a famous photographer that has made him a celebrity which has led him to live the party lifestyle, which does see him drink and take drugs. His sister is killed in an accident leaving him the sole guardian of her daughter, this will see him need to clean up his act, learn to ask for help, while trying to learn how raise a child. Maddy is the daughter of Adrian’s sister, she is 9-years-old struggling to adapt to life with Adrian, but is clearly going through grief, strangely making friends with Adrian’s best friend Steve. Liz is the trophy girlfriend of Adrian’s she doesn’t want anything to do with having Maddy around, which sees her wanting her own child. Sophie is the social services officer that only every wants the best for the children who have suffered through loss and drug addict parents.
Performances – Shawn Pyfrom is wonderful in the leading role, he portrays a man that is struggling with his addiction, while taking on a new responsibility. Hannah Victoria Stock brings everything for a young girl that has lost her parents, trying to prepare for a new life. Julia Voth is great as the unlikable girlfriend, while Sopher Kargman as the social worker plays both sides of her role well throughout the film.
Story – The story follows a photographer drug addict that is given the responsibility of caring for his niece after his sister is killed, forcing him to face is own personal problems or risk losing her to the foster system. This story does tackle one of the serious problems people can suffer, the denial of the problem surrounding drugs. We get to see the foster system could work when the unexpected happens. The biggest part of the story comes from seeing how friendship can help, asking for help isn’t a bad thing and learning your own mistakes is the only way to get out of the hole you have dug for yourself. The story doesn’t shy away from reality of this life, which is the important side to see.
Settings – The film is set in a big city where we see how the drug problem has consume people, you can have unique shops and a system that wants to help people.
Scene of the Movie – Reading the notebook.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – It is hard to believe social services wouldn’t do a proper check before letting a child move in.
Final Thoughts – This is a hard hitting drama about drug abuse, new responsibilities and learning to ask for help in the darkest hour.
Overall: Wonderfully strong drama
Rating
