Review of Cemetery Junction (2010) by Jake . — 21 Sep 2010

I have never watched an episode of The Office, but I really was sort of skeptical when I saw that its creators had written/directed a film. That film, Cemetery Junction, is not at all what I would have expected to see.

Rarely are the cynics' assumptions disproven, but this film should really take a lot of people by surprise. It is sentimental, yes, maybe even sappy, but not in a poorly done way. The film NEEDS to be maudlin; it would not be as affective otherwise.

All of us find ourselves at crossroads at various points in our lives. We are continually growing, moving forward. As a coming of age story, Cemetery Junction does everything it should do. We have a couple strong, lovable characters in the lead, the required sort-of-funny-but-really-just-obnoxious side kick, the baddies, and one strong supportive adult.

What I wouldn't have expected are some of the supporting characters that are truly desperate or dysfunctional. There are many truly heartbreaking moments in the film, but also just as many humorous ones.

Everything is perfectly balanced and plays out as it "should". Appropriately enough, the film even ends with our young lovers rushing to catch their train. Our personal journeys do not always work, but part of the magic of films is the promise that they can, and maybe even will.

After all, why not?