After Fall, Winter

Before Sunrise meets 50 shades of Grey.

Walking dialogues reminiscent of Before Sunrise suffer in comparison & Schaeffer's got a needy smugness that, no matter how well-written or acted the scene, can occasionally make it seem like he's pulling on the viewer's sleeve nagging, "Look at me! Ain't I great?" Still the film has moments of genuine unpredictability with Schaeffer's script never shying away from the truth or darkness of its characters & challenging sexual gender roles in ways other "hetero" romantic dramas would never dare.

/out of 20... Casting/Acting: 17 Writing/Story/Plot: 15 Directing: 15 Cinematography/Sound: 15 Originality/Bonus: 15 I was hoping the Written By/Directed By/Starring trifecta of Eric Schaeffer would make it more honest, but something was off about Romeo & Juliet with a twist. The subplot(s), somewhat ironically, saved this film from trying too hard to be different.