In Crave, writer-director Deborah Twiss crafts a romance about two friends from long ago who ignite the passion in one another at a vulnerable point in their lives. Abigail (Deborah Twiss) is a new widow whose children have recently left for college. She begins piecing together her regular routine while figuring out life without her husband, Richard (Ed Altman).
One morning, she wakes up from an intimate dream about Max (Brandon Hughes), a friend she knew from long ago. While on a walk, talking with her mother, Brigitte (Sean Young)—who’s concerned about Abigail finally meeting someone or at least going on a date—Abigail runs into Max in a moment of cosmic coincidence. The surprise of seeing him again brings back all the feelings stirred up by her dream.
Max asks Abigail to come back to his place for dinner. As the hormones start to rage, she cuts the passion off instantly, feeling she may be moving too fast. Respecting her feelings, Max shows her his recent paintings instead. She notices a dark tone to his work but can’t deny his expressiveness. They then go for a walk—what becomes their true first date—which leads to a night of hot and steamy lovemaking.
The next morning, the two are inseparable, alternating between deep conversations about their past and more lovemaking. Abigail confesses how difficult it was being married to Richard, who was physically regressing over time, but she was by his side to the end. Max talks about his art and the residency he’s currently part of. The two feel they are perfectly matched, but soon the cracks begin to show.
“…she begins piecing together her regular routine while figuring out life without her husband…”
From the mind of Deborah Twiss, Crave is an exploration of two old friends finding love in the twilight of their lives. With children and family out of the question, Twiss explores the idea of two singular people making a connection for the sake of making a connection. As a romance, the lovers play with the heat and passion of falling in love and the often harsh realities that surface when the rose-colored glasses are removed.
I need to address the elephant in the room. There is a lot more lovemaking and nudity than in your typical romance. Though it doesn’t reach the level of the old ’90s erotic thrillers, I think Twiss is going for an authentic relationship, where all inhibitions are removed in the privacy of one’s home with someone you love deeply.
As a story, we’re at the Harlequin-level of romance. It can get quite melodramatic at times, but fits fully within the genre. Things start to take a turn when Max becomes jealous whenever Abigail speaks to another man, putting an allegorical spin on his art studio apartment—what I’d call a “love den.” If you like your romances like this, Crave is just perfect. There’s an indie charm to it all as Twiss’s passion for the story is evident. Just a few minor sound issues and odd edits are noticeable, but once you’re locked into the story, you’ll overlook its low-budget production flaws.
Ultimately, Crave explores how desire and vulnerability finally collide when two lovers’ passion fades and reality sets in. As they say, a lasting relationship requires work when the secrets of our past surface.
Crave can be streamed on Prime Video.
"…an indie charm to it all..."
