Synopsis
Is the nest half-empty or half-full?
As various members of the Frank family come together for a college graduation party in Chicago, they find their bonds being tested -- and strengthened -- in surprising ways.
Relative
2022 Directed by Michael Glover Smith
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Michael Glover Smith’s latest is his best yet. 'Relative' screened at the Clinton St. Theater here in Portland last week and this is exactly the type of film that more theaters that consider themselves "independent" should be programming regularly. If it comes to your town, make sure to check it out (and if Smith is in attendance, buy him a PBR and/or a cigar after the screening!)
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RELATIVE will have its World Premiere at the 15th annual Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, March 12, 2022: www.gasparillafilmfestival.com/
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Had an amazing first experience at the legendary cinema/DVD vault know as Facets.
Independent low-budget Chicago-based filmmaker Michael Glover Smith really tackled this film with the confidence that would make you think the film had a bigger budget than it did. This is a really enjoyable twist on the dysfunctional family coming together for a reunion. The film moves in a way that few micro-budget pictures do. The aforementioned confidence and rhythm, thanks to the legendary editor Eric Marsh, really keeps this thing moving. This a cast of personalities I could watch for hours; a truly delightful slice of life.
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People of Chicago!
RELATIVE will screen at the Music Box Theatre on Wednesday, June 8, 2022: musicboxtheatre.com/films/relative
RELATIVE will screen at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Friday, June 10, Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16, 2022: www.siskelfilmcenter.org/relative
Hope to see you there!
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a bit biased because i am a charming background actor in this…but wow what a motion picture!
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Lake County Film Fest 2022
First off: major points for filming the bar scenes at Hopleaf, one of, if not *the* best gastropub in Chicago.
With Relative, writer/director Michael Glover Smith is clearly inspired by Ozu and Kore-eda, but instead of a Japanese family coming together to explore inner-unit dynamics, we see an American contemporary setting in (the greatest city in the world of) Chicago.
I think the character writing is solid, and, for the most part, carried out very well by its actors. Glover Smith shows a deft skill of balancing many character dynamics at once, with no one being over-beaten or left behind.
The film is a solid structure with lovely needle drops. There are some pacing challenges…
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So much great character writing here, gorgeous cinematography, and top tier editing (obviously). Need to see more from Michael Glover Smith and can’t wait to see what he does next.
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Great movie, enjoyed watching it at the Clinton Street theater in Portland. This will definitely get you in your feels.
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rolling my eyes than crying, crying and rolling my eyes . stuff i also do when i see my family . a lot of this hit personally, i'm afraid more and more rod's exist in this world, families disintegrate by physical methods but mental and emotional ones too of course , which may be the more difficult to address . i was thinking good hallmark movie at first (which isn't a bad thing especially this time o year) (also it is rough trying to acclimate to this after such recent viewings as john waters movies and early 80s queer german films) but by the end the dialogue and relationships and revelations snowballed this into being something like american kore-eda. chicago handshake instead of sake. i miss those accents and friendliness.
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People of Portland, Oregon: The OR Premiere of RELATIVE will occur at the historic Clinton St Theatre on Tuesday, 11/29! I am flying into Portland for 24 hours just to attend this screening and do a post-show Q&A. Come out and say hi and grab a drink with me afterwards! cstpdx.com/event/relative/
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People of Los Angeles: RELATIVE will have its West Coast Premiere at the American Cinematheque/Los Feliz 3 on Friday, October 14: www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/relative-10-14-22/
With an encore screening on Saturday, October 15: www.americancinematheque.com/now-showing/relative-10-15-22/Hope to see you there!
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Michael Glover Smith's fourth film and his best yet. He very confidently juggles a large ensemble of characters, giving each one their own choice moments without it feeling contrived. They're all recognizable, flawed human beings sketched out with compassion. But he also doesn't offer excuses for anyone's behavior. And his cinematic technique "feels" very restrained and understated, so that when he does reach for a special moment it doesn't feel like he's just showing off. (A beautiful "circle of time" shot which captures the transition of time passing is only one example.) This straightforward quality keeps everything grounded. The entire cast is excellent; Wendy Robie's touching and warm-hearted portrayal of the family's matriarch will surely open the eyes of many viewers who know her only from Nadine on "Twin Peaks." Bravo.
