Slamdance Review: Sam’s World: Non Binary Drama With Too Much Talk and Little Real Insight.

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Movie info via Slamdance:

Sam’s World follows the immersive subjectivity of its main character, Sam, as they grapple with a decision about their secret pregnancy, fantasize about a more supportive partner, and feel dissociated from their friend group. The film centers around a hyper-niche milieu but manages to evoke the universal themes of identity, jealousy and coming of age.

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Review:

Sam’s World a non-binary chatty drama underserves its cast with too much talk and not enough stillness, or quiet moments to discover the characters beyond their words.

The film at 65 minutes falls short of the 70 minute length to qualify for narrative feature, but is too long to be a true short. This is the first notable work for its director, writer and star, Lily Lady and that in between state both hinders and helps its narrative.

Sam is a nonbinary sex worker who caters to voyeurs harboring a secret (pregnancy maybe) that she is unwilling or does not know how to break it to her/their lover, Rex. (Annie Connolly).

The relationship isn’t always sunshine and roses. Right now, it’s in its polite but fragile state. There’s dissatisfaction behind the superficial talk and politeness. The little things are starting to become annoying. Sam’s eating habits are verging on anorexia and self abuse via consumption of porcelain shards. Sam is starting to get annoyed with Rex’s gentle paternal dominance and Rex with Sam’s lack of wanting to help out or look for work. Sam never reciprocates Rex’s love and kindness.

For the audience Sam’s behavior comes off as self indulgent rather than working through internal issues. They see her as a pouty spoiled girl. There’s a lot of talk but no working through issues. Their friends are all smiles, self analysis with no micro expressions to guide us to seeing their true internal states. Everybody is good at conversations but not real expression, talking themselves but not being themselves.

Sam’s World is really a film school project that shows promise. It’s too inexperience to be deep or know it. It gets a 3/5 or a B. It’s streaming as part of Slamdance 2024 which is part of the Slamdance Channel. The virtual part of the festival runs from January 22-28.

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Credits:

Cast (in credits order)  

Lily Lady…SamAnnie Conolly…RexAje Brown…ArchieMad Sundquist…DylanQuinn…QuinnLindsay Dye…Beach CrewRest of cast listed alphabetically:Monica Deane…Older Diner PatronCoco Gordon Moore…CocoAurora O’Greenfield…AllieAlsatia Ragusa…Beach CrewHowie Seligman…Client 1Ali Tichavsky…Diner HostKara Williamson…Kara

Produced by 

Dan Lalor…producerHoward F. Seligman…executive producer

Music by 

Carlos Dengler

Cinematography by 

Matt Harvey

Editing by 

Brendan William

• Year:
  2023
• Runtime:
  65 minutes
• Language:
  English
• Country:
  USA
• Premiere:
  World Premiere
• Genre:
  LGBTQ Drama
• Subtitle Language:
  English

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