BEFORE A BACKDROP of upper-crust coastal Connecticut, Harvest plays out a family drama about the impending demise of Siv (Robert Loggia), the patriarch. His wife is suffering from advanced dementia, and his middle-aged children are circling about, alternately nursing their father, squabbling about his will, and engaging in embarrassing interactions with the hired help. In the eye of it all is Josh (Jack Carpenter), a likeable college kid for whom this Connecticut summer will be remembered as a rite of passage on the road toward adult maturity.
Did I mention it’s boring? Oh yeah: big time.
Writer/director Marc Meyers is so caught up in conveying ennui and drama that his phalanx of acoustic guitars strumming listlessly on the soundtrack are like the violins on the Titanic as Harvest drowns in its own ocean of bummers. I’m not criticizing that it’s depressing: Depressing films can be very good, enabled by likeable or interesting or even attractive characters who occasionally win you over with moments of warmth and humor despite the sulking. Alas, all but Siv and Josh share none of these traits, and their plotlines contain no particular saving intrigues. The result is a film that feels much longer than it is, and the sensation that you’ve just been forced to attend an unfamiliar family’s funeral.
This is the second time I saw this movie and it’s wonderful. First time was at the Tacoma Film Festival, thanks to my sister for bringing me along. I don’t know what movie this reviewer just saw, but should’ve seen it with an audience and then wouldn’t be able to deny how strong it relates to everyone. It’s full of humor and pathos, and for once, a movie not filled with explicit dialogue. The story was beautifully told. The acting was honest and authentic. And the music was so fitting. But, whatever. To each their own. I recommend it highly.