Review of Kodachrome (2017) by Cris Z — 27 Apr 2018

Kodachrome inspired me to write my first review here today. Actually the reason was more due to the genius acting of Ed Harris. I've admired him since childhood, and was moved to tears yet again by his raw emotion. That aside this melancholy, chic, and often funny road trip movie held its own in terms of great storytelling.

Mr. Harris plays photographer Ben Ryder. A character written in equal parts curmudgeonly grump as he is to awe inspiring photographer. The first scene he was in, I was struck by how authenticly raw his physical transformation as Ben really was. Every deep wrinkle carved into the actors face, his leather-like tanned skin told a story of his character. His sunken, often angry eyes looked haggard yet beautiful. In one scene you hate him and the next you cry with him.

The chemistry beween him and his on-screen son played by Jason Sudekis is superb. Sudekis holds his own in the part and charms his way through every scene with his effortless quick wit.

To say that this film is a predictable father-son road trip with a quirky love interest thrown in is an insult. Sometimes you watch a movie for the plot and other times you experience a profound kinship to the human beings in it. One that reminds you of your own mortality, and to what truly really matters in life. Kodachrome is the latter.