Writer/Director Kat Chandler has managed to capture authentic adolescent behavior even when it isn't very pretty; e.g., Jacob shows Wes how to heap whipped cream on a slice of white bread and eat it; no one thinks to wash the dishes, clean the house or do the laundry. Both father and older son are inclined to walk out without a word when they become upset. I find that rude!
The cast:
- Aaron Paul ("Breaking Bad") is Hollis, a single father who has no idea how to be a parent, so most of the responsibility falls to his older son.
- Juliette Lewis ("August: Osage County") is the sister-in-law who calls Child Protection Services because she thinks Hollis is unable to care for his sons.
- Josh Wiggins, in his first movie role, is Jacob, obsessed with motocross, and he has terrible taste in friends! As to taking care of his little brother, he is in way over his head. His lack of judgment is stunning...and typical.
- Deke Garner ("Hyphen") Wes is taken from his family by CPS and placed with his aunt until his father attends family counseling and quits drinking. It was hard to tell who was more upset, Wes or his big brother.
BTW, I had a lot of trouble hearing the dialogue. Film festival screenings do NOT have closed captions unless they are in a language other than English, so be advised.