Stuck between Stations

I picked up this movie with no previous knowledge of it.

The DVD Cover was very limited in its description or synopsis of the 2011 movie.

"A young soldier on leave for 24 hours has a chance meeting with his childhood crush. Growing closer they have a night they will never forget, knowing they will part ways at dawn".

Sounds cheesy, time-tested and well formulaic, I have visited similar themed, thin versions of commercial cinema often enough. But this movie was so smooth, it left me intoxicated and pensive.

This film was the official selection for the Tribeca and Austin film festivals of 2011.

Zoe Lister Jones, is amazing as Becky Fine, a student of comparative literature. The movie opens with a scene between the two main characters Becky and Casper (well adapted by actor Sam Rosen) and their whispered talk of departures and lapses.

It picks up  a warm, comfortable pace with of all things a bar fight. Casper mistakenly stops two men he thinks are picking on Becky. He ends up with a bloody nose, and we watch, as Becky and Casper verbally spar with each other. She realises to her embarrassment that he is an old classmate she never knew and he comes to the realisation that the men in the bar were her friends. She ditches her (dip shit friends) as annointed by Casper. And then the magical part begins with a party, a bike ride captured as it winds through the city of Minneapolis,, a chance meeting with some anti-war, anti-establishment acquaintances of Casper (a nicely acted cameo by Josh Hartnett), a suburban circus performance in a run down warehouse, and a fiery confrontation with Becky's professor lover. His wife has just found out about his affair with his student (Becky). The professor's wife is  the head of Becky's comparative literature department and unfortunately responsible for reviewing Becky's dissertation mentored by said Professor. 

The movie evolves slowly, in wisps, gathering steam, yet runs like a pleasant train journey where you can view the surroundings, breathe them into your memory. and still love the ride. There is an underlying background of death, violence, loss and war. All these disturbing themes are subtly conveyed, strung together with the taut fog of romanticism, so soft it almost creeps up on you, lets you know that there might be something real in there, within the confines of the movie,something they and you can't quite get your hands around, something you might think might be worth holding tight, yet it leaves you watching and searching, giving space, hoping it-this friendship, this romance ends as beautifully as the movie builds it up to.

It builds this beautiful house of gathered match sticks, each powering a brilliant spark of moments and movements that play out into a wonderful night.

Watch the trailer and read further if you wish

http://www.stuck-between-stations.com/#f7a/custom_plain
Must add-nice soundtrack smooth and simple.