
Tyler Thomas Taormina’s ‘Kodiak’ can merely be described as a vibe, it isn’t a traditional narrative but rather a mood piece that accentuates the absurdity associated with family life during the holidays which is set in an American suburb. It’s a time crowded with lights, noise, laughter, and the occasional family quarrel, But most importantly, it is a time where emotions are at an all-time high, the warmth of the season resulting in memories simply being created. By the looks of it, I have plenty of recollections of the Tallerico family Christmas parties, starting when I was an innocent child sitting in my great-grandmother’s basement, and I have an inkling that I would have never watched a movie that portrays chaos and comfort so seamlessly. As would be expected with attending a family gathering, Tallerico puts an uncanny emphasis on conversation, making Carson Lund’s camera slide from one person to another without a fixed plot or a distinct protagonist. It is clear that other versions of the movie exist which give the viewer the feeling that they were watching someone else’s home video, however, this version works primarily because it feels as if they are witness to their reminisce.
The film “Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” offers a glimpse of the family gathering held in a quaint Long Island home owned by the Balsanos. Through the flow of conversation captured in this film, we can comprehend that the family matriarch is no longer capable of self-care; due to such discussions assisted living facilities were being taken into consideration, and subsequently the house will be sold; most of the family members have just been informed. The film acquires a sense of closure due to this news permeating overhead. Remember Tallerico’s Christmas parties? Yes, there is none anymore.
The house was sold; others have relocated to various states, acquired their apartments, and even in-laws and children to meet; the list goes on. The collective experience of “Miller’s point” set in the year 2006 quotes “Christine recalls this being the last time all of them would be able to meet on the 24th, its indescribable.” True, since then various parties and dinners took place over the next few years, however, times have vividly changed. The essence of this film is showing something that has existed for such a long time now starting to disappear.
Incredible to witness Taormina’s Tony Needle as he blends between the line of ‘sincerity’ and ‘sentimentality’ with ease. Unfortunately, Taormina’s work does not subdue to the genres of maudlin holiday dramedy, which is a good sign. One of the multiple factors due to which his work is exceptional is because the actors and the writers are at ease while performing. As we range from seeing kids launching food at a Christmas tree, to older kids playing in the basement, to mom and the serious discussions around her, we are more like guests than movie watchers. It would seem that we can eavesdrop on one conversation about why all the stars are overshadowed.
My one real issue is that I feel Taormina’s grip on the house and the balance of material is stronger here than in Nevada where he follows a few of the teenage boys around town into a couple interactions with some cops played by Michael Cera and Gregg Turkington. It is still real Taormina has a sense of that playful unpredictability that comes with a bunch of teenagers being allowed to take off from their parents for a few hours but still, these sequences seem to be a little more carefully constructed than the ones in the house.
As a result, Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point is remarkable in what it does not contain which, for most of the time, is the ostalgia-laden simulation of what such times were ‘better’ which was close to, two decades ago. He doesn’t also include the songs of the period which he uses for effect, other than a beautiful scene with Frank Sinatra’s ‘A Garden in The Rain’. It is a deceptively complex form of filmmaking that feels like it’s both crafted and natural at the same time. It is intricate in its many aspects, most of which are the feelings one has upon meeting one’s family after a long time apart.
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