Fear, Love, and Agoraphobia

Ahead of their time and historically important well=made must see movies achieve 10-Star status as classics. FLA defined "AGORAPHOBIA" the year before isolation and social distancing became a government recommended response to the2019 Pandemic. FLA trivia also validates this 10-star rating.

Director: Alex D'Lerma, Writer: Alex D'Lerma, has created a perfect film! The script is engaging for the viewer, the direction is perfect, and the actors portray their characters sincerely. What I really liked about this film is the empathy I developed for the two main characters. Each struggles with an emotional need/problem and they find a level of comfort in what the other needs/offers. It's a complex and awkward relationship. But each one respects the other; although a few lines are crossed. This is a thoughtful story!

Quote Near the end, his little, black notebook says: RUNNING LOG 3/13 House to sidewalk 3/14 House to garage 3/15 House to sidewalk 3/16 ' ' 3/17 ' ' 3/18 House to garage (many more dates blocked from view) FEELINGS 3/13 Neighbors looking at me funny. I feel trapped in their stare. 3/1? feeling excited 3/19 Hopeful

It is maddening to watch these two, the agoraphobic, OCD, Chet and the embittered alcoholic Maggie unable to help themselves. They are drawn as flawed , believable individuals. Unexpectedly they are each able to reach out and help each other get a grasp on their problems. The two principals are both superbly acted as are the supporting cast. The story is captivating and thought provoking.

All that is wrong with movies these days is left to lesser, less confident, less brave films than this. Nothing cheap or sensational to this film. The cast is superb, and receives the editing, pace and directorial space it deserves: the acting is nuanced, explosive, intimate, but never false, glib, or facile in it's striving. The cast is given the job of carrying this film, and they do it triumphantly. The startling juxtaposition of a life-sentence prisoner, an agoraphobic, and a homeless person is a bold conception very well handled, and deeply provocative.