Zoe

Happily, the supporting cast is just as good, though they have less time to show off. Beth McCreton plays Hope, Zoe’s sister in the London life. In only one scene, she goes from happy to mad to frustrated to blunt. It’s quite the moment. As the object of affection in Paris, Chanel Victor is sweet but remains grounded, as her (and Zoe’s) actions have real and unintended consequences. As Alejandro, Michel Rodriguez Carmona showcases his excellent comedic timing. Binning vacillates between adoring and party bro so easily one must wonder if he was actually drunk for some of those sequences.

Galliussi directs Zoe with charm and sweetness. She manages the tonal shifts, dramatic beats, and comedic timing with such deftness that it is a wonder that this is her first feature-length film as a director. A simple dialogue scene is enlivened with animated bluebirds chirping and sunbeams emanating from behind to prove true love. The entire production is filled with such quirky touches that let the heart of the story come through in visually memorable ways without overpowering the dramatic arc the main character must go through to ultimately get what she wants.

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“Galliussi directs Zoe with charm and sweetness.”

The only issue here is that this kind of story has been told before. A lady who grew up wealthy, who is now working for the family business as an adult and is more interested in partying than work? Yeah, that’s been seen a lot. The new life angle harkens back to several titles of yesteryear. This means that the conclusion is easy to figure out; yes, even who the wizard is was not the biggest surprise. Still, the narrative is told well and is full of charm, so not being the most original isn’t exactly a death sentence.

Zoe is simply adorable. The directing balances the comedy and drama well, while each new life segment offers something genuinely appealing. The cast, led by the brilliance of writer-director-star Galliussi, is excellent. The story structure is highly reminiscent of other films, but that doesn’t mean the journey isn’t worth it.

For more information about Zoe, visit the Falling Up Films site.