Director: Mark Raso
Writer: Jonathan Tropper (Screenplay) A.G. Sulzberger (Article)
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Jason Sudeikis, Ed Harris, Bruce Greenwood, Amanda Brugel, Dennis Haysbert
Plot: Set during the final days of the admired photo development system known as Kodachrome, a father and son hit the road in order to reach the Kansas photo lab before it closes its doors for good.
Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Brilliant Drama
Story: Kodachrome starts as music executive Matt Ryder (Suedikis) is about to lose his job unless he can sign the next big band, even after this he will be looking at the door, his distant father Ben (Harris) is dying and his carer Zoe (Olsen) comes to Matt in hope that he will give his father one final wish, to travel across America to Kansas to go to a photo lab, the last of its kind.
Reluctantly Matt agrees to go on the trip and along the way the two must everything out as we learn about how Matt dislike to his father comes from his own father’s quest for success which never saw him around.
Thoughts on Kodachrome
Characters – Matt is a music executive, he has been in the industry for years and has always had an ear for talent, his weakness comes from signing the talent. He has a bad relationship with his father since his father wasn’t around during his youth, he goes on a journey with his father in an attempt to build bridges before his father dies, while attempting to save his job. Ben is the father of Matt, he is a world-renowned photographer that has always been using Kodachrome to develop his photos, with the last development lab getting closed down and his health beating him, he wants his son to join him on a cross country trip to make up for his years of errors. Zoe is the carer for Ben, she helps build the first bridge between the two and joins them on the journey, she tries to keep the peace between the two and even offers Matt a new friend who has been on the same dysfunctional paths.
Performances – Jason Sudeikis is a comic actor I have always thought was good in comic roles, but isn’t the one I enjoy his style, for me this is his best performance because he gets to put the odd joke in a serious performance, giving it the grounded level required. Ed Harris is fantastic in his role showing the stubbornness needed but also showing the signs of regret he is feeling. Elizabeth Olsen once again shines in a supporting role in the film.
Story – The story here follows a father and son that have a distant relationship that must go on a road trip with the father dying of cancer sooner rather than later. The two must put aside the difficulties from the past for a moment of clarity between the two. This story shows that no matter what people have been through they will always be love for family in them, a lesson to be taught and a secret that will keep them strong.
Settings – The film takes us from New York to Kansas with sights of America along the way, we don’t hit the landmarks, but we get the sense of distant they must travel.
Scene of the Movie – Parsons the lab.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – Who is this band ‘Live’
Final Thoughts – This is one of the best movies of the year, we get a balance between the reality of what will be happening to Ben and the proof family will always love you right up to the final moment when they can create a moment in someone’s life they will never forget.
Overall: Must see drama.
Rating
