The lives of two friendly teenage boys become involved with the behavior of the adults in their world, and the needs are not the same in this sensitive drama directed by Ira Sachs, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mauricio Zacharias.
Theo Taplitz gives an appealing performance as 13-year-old Jake, whose father, Brian, is played by Greg Kinnear and mother, Kathy, is enacted by Jennifer Ehle, both of whom give excellent performances. Jake’s grandfather has died and left a Brooklyn house to his son, Brian, and daughter, Audrey (Talia Balsam). Brian and Kathy abandon Manhattan to live In Brooklyn, and this doesn’t sit well with Jake, who is very happy where he is.
The upside occurs when Jake becomes friendly with Tony, also well performed by Michael Barbieri, who lives with his single mom, Leonor, who is from Chile and is superbly acted by Paulina Garcia. She has been operating a dress-making shop in the building for many years at the low rent charged by Jake’s grandfather. Perhaps they were just friends, but one may consider the possibility that they were also lovers. You may remember Garcia from her stunning performance in “Gloria.”
Brian, who is an actor, and Kathy, a therapist, need, or want, more money, as does Audrey, who demands her share of the inheritance. The solution is to insist that Leonor pay a much higher rent in line with what rents are in the gentrifying neighborhood. This Leonor claims she cannot afford and Brian and his sister decide that Leonor must vacate if she doesn’t accept the rent boost.
Thus a nasty confrontation out of tune with the way things have been develops. The boys are caught in the middle. Jake wants his parents to give Leonor a break. Tony, of course, sympathizes with his mother. Thus a beautiful friendship of two pals who are enjoying the unity and pleasure they find in their little world is tested, and we feel for them as they revolt.
How does one feel about the adults? One can both sympathize with their economic needs and at the same time wish a compromise could be worked out. But there is also a lesson. The grandfather would have done well to make some specification in his will for what he wanted with respect to Leonor’s tenant rights.
The clashing positions and the effect on the boys keep the film involving, and director Sachs maintains an understated tone that implies respect for everyone’s position. One ponders what the future of Jake and Tony will bring. A Magnolia Pictures release. Reviewed August 5, 2016.