Review of Electrick Children (2012) by Courtney B — 08 Mar 2013

Director Rebecca Thomas really shows her cinematic chops in her new film "Electrick Children." She constantly frames her angelic star Rachel (Julia Garner) in direct lighting, leaving her shimmering. This lighting motif continues when Rachel makes it to metropolitan Las Vegas, and she's surrounded by the electric neons, a superb metaphor for her first foray into the "real world" and a beautiful contrast to her dusty Mormon community. The entire movie is a progression from darkness to the light. The first fifteen minutes especially seem to be nothing but night-shots in the desert Utah village, but the movie ends in a sunny Vegas suburb. This progressive lighting is perfect to represent Rachel's growth as both a character and a person.

Electrick Children is a true "indie" film. Not only does the cinematography highlight the unique and fascinating setting of a strict Mormon society, juxtaposed against the metropolitan Las Vegas, it also juggles mutiple heavy topics, such as pre-marital pregnancy, Mormonism and the theme of coming of age.

The chemistry on screen is mind blowing, with a superb performance from Julia Garner, splendidly supported by Rory Culkin. Billy Zane also blew the audience out of the water with a cerebral and intriguing role as Julia Garner's father.