A Bread Factory, Part One

Somewhat dry and arid set-up for its "better half" is still an enjoyable depiction of a community arts society, and its struggles to stay relevant in the face of vapid hipsterism and the threat of funding cuts; feels like what would happen if Altman and Frederick Wiseman had ever collaborated, with long, rambly monologues gradually filling in multi-dimensional portraits of these people. Daly makes a great anchor, and her support team are uniformly fine, especially the aged "hack" Murray.

The 40 year-old community arts space fights against gentrification and a hipster art company threatening their existence. Theatrical, old school, unglamorous, sometimes didactic and way too caricatured in its depiction of modern and popular art... But still, it's a total delight! Wonderful ensemble. Doesn't even feel like two hours, so fluent. And most importantly, it has a lot of heart!

I was expecting a self-serious slog, but this movie made me cackle. It is admittedly rough in many ways, but the solid gag writing really elevated it above its flaws, and the likeable characters and compelling scenario help too