Trust In Love is much more than Kramer Vs. Kramer with a dope bag and a surfboard. You know you are in for a time when the opening titles stress that this is based on a true story with all the names changed, except for Robby Krieger. Surely, they can’t mean the guitarist from The Doors. Then low and behold, we have Robby Krieger himself staring us right in the f*****g eye. It’s that kind of picture. It is also the kind of picture that never lags or drags. Petulla’s pacing in his screenplay is relentless, crafting a hyper-reality that repeatedly drives home what it feels like to have everything ripped from you. The bumpier the ride gets, the more riveted you become.
While the story flows through Marty’s point of view, Petulla weaves in surprisingly rich perspectives from the other family members. Instead of just being a total villain, Sofia’s reasons for walking away from the marriage are fully explained, with even some sympathy built for her side. The horrid effect all this has on the already tough teenage years of the kids is brutally fleshed out. It is these elements that keep this truly a family story. It is also refreshing to see a high drama made for a male audience, as these pictures are traditionally done for the female market. Guys need something to cry their guts out to as well, especially when s**t gets unfair like it tends to.
“…much more than Kramer Vs. Kramer with a dope bag and a surfboard.”
The look Davis brings to the show is slick and eye-catching. A dynamic throb is maintained throughout, with clever angles and awesome beats with the editing. This lays out the well-lit stage on which you see some incredible acting work. Petulla is an excellent leader, working a back East out West vibe that is infectious. Arditty does the heaviest lifting, as he has a particularly vicious path to walk here. The emotion he summons up is genuine and stings to the touch. Wilson has a complex to neat, impossible task that she still knocks out of the park. Hazelip is the real goddamn deal. He radiates the core aura of the wave-riding breed. The first sight of him will put sand between your tows.
However, this movie has a must-see turn by the great Eric Roberts as Stogie Guru. Even for the world record holder for the most screen credits, this role will stand out as one of his most funny. Roberts’ comedic timing is pinpoint laser hilarious; it is easily the funniest part of the picture. The rest of the comedy here is hit or miss, with some pretty low misses. The floor is clearly missing in one scene that falls into a basement of toilet humor and little people non-humor. These flaws wash away quickly, as there is plenty of good here. I could see this film saving some lives of the kind of people who need to find it. Trust In Love is an indie drama-charging dark horse that will surprise you with how far it gets in you.
"…A dynamic throb is maintained throughout..."
