Review of Ballast (2008) by Colin G — 19 Nov 2008

"Ballast" has to be the exact opposite of the film you'd expect from someone named Lance Hammer. It's a low-key testament to realism, detailing the tumultuous mundanities (an oddly appropriate oxymoron) of life for an African American family living in the Mississippi Delta. Intimate doesn't begin to describe the film, which focuses almost exclusively on three characters for the extent of the piece. It was shot handheld without the use of lights or music, and with first time actors in the leading roles, all to give it an uncompromisingly naturalistic feel.

The editing and the sound effects work conjunctively with the images to evoke an odd sense of childhood nostalgia. "Ballast" is filled with beautiful moments that absolutely succeed in transcending the medium of film, and only on one or two occasions does it dip below its placid surface into the trite world of Joe-narrative.

The film recently picked up best director and cinematography awards at Sundance, conspicuously juking the story itself, but if you're patient enough to let "Ballast" take you where it's going, there's an interesting spin on the timeless coming-of-age motif beneath the artistic innovations.