Silent terror and stage children

The first film is a fun exercise in compelling, dialogue-free storytelling, while the second is a hilarious, lovingly drawn mockumentary about theater kids.

No One Can Save You (Disney+) – It is often noted that film is primarily a visual medium, and that too many words and too much talking can weigh down a film and undermine the purpose of the medium. So, in these times of talk and more talk, it’s refreshing to come across a film that is essentially an exercise in compelling filmmaking with no more than 10 words of spoken dialogue. This is a horror film with a sci-fi premise and I applaud writer/director Brian Duffield for holding my attention throughout the film. Duffield is best known for writing custom scripts and was responsible for 2020’s Love and Monsters. Although he only did the writing work for this little gem of a film, he sits in the director’s chair and proves that he is no slouch.

Kaitlyn Dever (remember her in Booksmart?) plays Brynn, and her performance is deceptively effective. Given the genre, the premise and the paucity of dialogue, the film will rely more on action, effects, music, and cinematography and editing – yes, they are all important. However, I also support the way Dever makes us believe in Duffield’s vision with his convincing facial expressions and movements. While it can be said that there are unexpected plot twists that add to the authenticity, it is all part of the journey the film plans to take us on. The film begins in fairytale style with a house next to the woods and Dever is our guide down this rabbit hole of the world. Try this movie and go on a wild and twisted journey!

Theater Camp (Amazon Prime on Demand) is a hilarious mockumentary that chronicles a summer in the life of Adirond-ACTS, a theater summer camp in upstate New York that caters to wealthy kids interested in the performing arts. Not just about the kids, the film deftly explores the lives and relationships of the people who end up becoming the teachers, staff and handlers of such a camp. So yes, pay attention to this demographic: your frustrated actors, those who never made it, those who retired but don’t want to let go, and those who truly love the entire theater world. Directed and written by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman, it’s wonderful to have an ensemble cast that includes true theater stalwarts Ben Platt, Amy Sedaris, Ayo Adibery, Noah Galvin and Jimmy Tatro.

And I applaud Gordon and Lieberman for being self-aware enough to know that while they love this environment and in which they thrive, they are willing to ridicule themselves and point out the eccentricities and foibles of those who inhabit this world. The teachers, the camp staff, the video entrepreneur, the son of the woman who founded the camp—they’re all rebels, and it’s fun to watch them open up and explode. And children! These kids know more about Lerner and Lowe than Tom and Jerry. These people hung posters of Stephen Sondheim, Idina Menzel, or Andrew Lloyd Webber on top of posters of Brad Pitt, Taylor Swift, or Steve Jobs. We are given an insight into what life is like for these children and how different they are. It’s a loving tribute and funny too.