Ariella Mastroianni shines as a mother on the edge in Ryan J. Sloan's haunting noir, Gazer. (Fantastic Fest)
Some films linger with you long after viewing, not because of one particular element but due to the overall feeling they leave behind. Gazer, directed by Ryan J. Sloan, is one of those films. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when a group of talented individuals pushes past the usual industry norms, embracing risks, quality, and exceptional filmmaking. When you have nothing to lose, sometimes the best emerges, and festivals like Fantastic Fest’s Burnt Ends section offer a platform for such bold cinematic endeavors.
Gazer is a rhythmic and mesmerizing noir tale about a determined mother, Frankie, desperately clinging to the bond with her daughter. It stars Ariella Mastroianni in a defining role, and she’s truly the heart of the film. Her compelling performance, alongside the stellar DP work of Matheus Bastos, who brilliantly uses Kodak film to capture the gritty world of New Jersey, brings this captivating story to life. While the film’s slow, brooding pace might not be for everyone, it perfectly suits the tense and foreboding atmosphere.
Handling a narrative involving a brain condition requires care, and Sloan, along with Mastroianni, incorporates these realities with great sensitivity. Frankie’s journey feels authentic, and the use of tapes as a storytelling device is reminiscent of the captivating performance by Samuel L. Jackson in The Long Kiss Goodnight. Once you understand what Frankie is facing, the film layers her personal struggles with the harsh realities of life in the New Jersey working class, heightening the sense of helplessness surrounding her.
At its core, Gazer is a thought-provoking exploration of the lengths a parent will go to protect and stay connected to their child. The Lynchian horror elements sprinkled throughout add a unique, obscure flair that might polarize some viewers, but ultimately, it enriches the film’s tone. The standout performances, including those of smaller characters, and the haunting score by composer Steve Matthew Carter, combine to make Frankie's strange little world unforgettable.
For a first-time filmmaker, Ryan J. Sloan has assembled a formidable team, allowing Gazer to thrive—and thrive it does.
Rating: 4/5
Gazer
Directed by: Ryan J. Sloan
Cast: Ariella Mastroianni, Marcia DeBonis, LeJon Woods, Emma Pearson, Annie Pisapia, Grant Schumacher, Jack Alberts
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