Starring
Michaela Cavazos, Conor Proft, Harry Hamlin, Kathryn Erbe, Chloe
Levine, Eli Bridges, Aria Shahghasemi, Matthew Van Oss. Directed by
William Dickerson. (2018/104 min).
Review
by Fluffy the Fearlessđ
I remember when Kurt Cobain died. I was in college and a bit older than many of my
classmates (having partied through most of my 20s). So while his suicide didn’t have a profound impact on
my life, I did observe how it affected a generation touched by
his songs. That, coupled with the overall bleakness of
grunge music itself, galvanized the stereotype of 90s’ youth
as moody, ambivalent naval-gazers.
No
Alternative revels in that decade, as experienced through two
disaffected suburban siblings in the post-Cobain era.
Bridget (Michaela Cavazos) is a brooding, perpetually
angry high-schooler who’s been prescribed a variety of medications
since she was eight. Her older brother, Thomas (Conor Proft),
initially appears to be the more responsible of the two. Their
parents (Harry Hamlin, Kathryn Erbe) expect Thomas to go to college,
though all he really wants is to play with his band of Nirvana wannabes.
The
film itself is nearly plotless, primarily shifting back and forth
between Bridget and Thomas. Mom and Dad are mostly peripheral figures in
their daily lives (and the story, though Dad is arguably its de-facto antagonist). Neither kid is particularly
likable, but as products of their environment – or in Bridget’s
case, no-small-amount of medication – each manages to generate fair amounts of empathy. Both find emotional outlets through music.
Bridget embraces rap, which suits her confrontational nature.
Through cringeworthy scenes during open-mike night at a local club,
her performances are similar to scream therapy. However, as the
narrative unfolds, it’s Thomas whose behavior and actions take
alarming turns.
 |
| If Jay & Silent Bob had offspring. |
As
authentic as everything looks, sounds and feels, No
Alternative is not a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The film is
as cheerless as the music from the era, especially its
depiction of how mental illness can go tragically unnoticed until
it’s too late. Writer-director William Dickerson adapted his own novel, a fictionalized recollection of his
own youth and equally troubled sister. The result isn’t what anyone
would call a good time at the movies, but by the time we realize the
entire film will be an exercise in misery, we feel compelled to see it
through, even once we’re certain not every character will make it
out alive.
No
Alternative is the type of movie where we admire the message, the performances and the director's integrity, which isn’t the same as actually
enjoying it. Dickerson doesn’t pull any
emotional punches and the film grows increasingly tough to watch as the story
approaches its inevitable-with-hindsight conclusion. However, those who vividly recall the '90s will feel like they've unearthed a time capsule.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
TRAILER
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD. LIKE CAT CHOW.
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