Review of The New Year (2010) by Ryan H — 30 Nov 2010

In the beginning of the film I had no clue what to expect. It had so many technical flaws (for example, the only thing shot well were the bowling scenes), but the characters and actors were so genuine and amazing.

This was the perfect opener to intensive arts. With only an $8,000 budget, Brett Haley was able to realize that there are more important things to a film than making something the way everyone else does.

There were many times while watching the film that I thought Trieste was going to be a big name one day. She carried every single moment of the film. I loved Sunny and all of her flaws. I wanted to see her make the tough, but sometimes bad decisions to get back into the life that would make her happy, not the one she is stuck in.

The man who played her father was quite amazing as well. He and Trieste create a great father and daughter connection that makes us care. Haley knows that the acting is the most crucial part of this film.

I was really blown away to find out that he loves to challenge himself by taking things he wouldn't normally find himself doing and try to make it into a film. I have felt like I have been sticking around a single genre.

Perhaps it's time for a change? Anywho, The New Year couldn't have ended more perfectly. It leaves us with every choice the characters could possibly make, but at the same time it doesn't do a complete closer.

I also loved the way that the story is not really about the love triangle, but it is just there to represent her character. She is a strong, independent woman who makes choices of her own regardless of relationships.

As Haley said, women are horribly represented in films these days and it's nice to see a change. The New Year is full of heart, and I hope that it will shoot of Brett Haley and Trieste's careers so that I can see them do more one day.