Leon’s Fantasy Cut

On the one hand, we’re living the “American” dream. But, on the other, why is it so elusive? Two brothers find themselves chasing their dream in Jon Valde and Josh Caras’ feature film, Leon’s Fantasy Cut.

George (Josh Caras) and Iggy (Jon Valde) are Ukrainian brothers searching for a life of success. George is the pragmatic brother who hopes to move up the ranks at the cellphone retail store where he works. Iggy is an artist — a videographer and director for his client, Yurly (Paul Cooper), an emerging rapper.

You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. Which pretty much sums up George and Iggy’s relationship. George thinks his brother is a slacker with no work ethic. Iggy is tired of being George’s constant disappointment. But in the end, all they have is each other.

Leon’s Fantasy Cut follows both brothers’ attempts to catch that elusive “big break.” George is trying his hardest to appear like an intelligent salesman and find success in love with Ella (Ella Rae Peck). George’s problem is time is running out, and his patience is wearing thin… much like his temper. In contrast, Iggy placed all of his artistic “eggs” behind Yurly, while Yurly fails to see Iggy’s actual value in bolstering his career.

“George thinks his brother is a slacker and has no work ethic. Iggy is tired of being George’s constant disappointment.”

Leon’s Fantasy Cut is an ambitious tale for first-time filmmakers Valde and Caras. As writers, directors, and lead actors, their story has a very personal feel. Their story gives off sparks of Death of a Salesman as our protagonist’s story plays out like a tragic American tale. This incredible tension pulsates throughout as Valde and Caras continually keep success for their characters just out of arm’s length. George is foiled by his own doing, and for Iggy, he finds himself hooking his wagon to the wrong horse.

Both Valde and Caras give excellent performances, though Caras as George has the biggest arc of the pair. George is always living on the brink of insanity, as if catching that one break in life will solve every one of his problems. His attempt to court Ella perfectly exemplifies George’s personal weaknesses. Valde’s Iggy is the more sympathetic of the two. But in this sympathetic state, he is also the most manipulated. His brotherly moments with George will break your heart.

Leon’s Fantasy Cut is the tale of two brothers. It’s almost unfair to compare it to the sweeping dramas from the big studios because they have money and star power. Valde and Caras give us a small, yet poignant drama with a big emotional punch in the end.