disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

[AFI 2020] PINK SKIES AHEAD -- A Slightly Obnoxious Dramedy That Sticks the Landing

10/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Review by Sean Boelman
Picture
Jessica Barden is one of the brightest young stars working right now, and she has proven on multiple occasions that she has the chops to carry even a less than impressive film. Kelly Oxford’s coming-of-age dramedy Pink Skies Ahead yet is arguably her biggest test yet, as its occasionally obnoxious characters prevent it from working as well as it should.

The movie tells the story of a college dropout living with her parents as she is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and struggles to accept her condition. It’s evident that Oxford only has the best of intentions with her film, but unfortunately, it is far too cynical, angry, and whiny to be particularly enjoyable to watch.

Interestingly enough, Oxford absolutely nails the last thirty minutes, which leaves one to wonder what went so wrong with the first hour. It seems as if she has more of a penchant for writing emotional drama than comedy, as the more serious third act is far more successful than her forced attempts at quirkiness that comprise much of the movie’s humor.

Furthermore, Oxford disappointingly pulls many of the punches in regards to the film’s unique angle. By the end of the movie, it becomes clear that this is a compassionate and caring approach to anxiety disorder, but for much of the runtime, this feels like an afterthought. Instead, the film is too preoccupied with the common themes of the genre.
Picture
The character development in the movie is also underwhelming. While the protagonist is sympathetic, much of her arc is conventional. Her two sidekicks who accompany her on many of her comedic antics are bland and forgettable. Even the love interest has very little development apart from pushing along the protagonist’s arc. 

Barden is undeniably talented, but even she can’t make such an annoying character completely likable. That sudden and dramatic shift heading into the final third makes her a lot less insufferable, but charming and irritating simply don’t go together. In the supporting cast, everyone feels wasted or miscast, with the exception of Henry Winkler, who is a joy to see as always.

That said, perhaps the most frustrating thing about this film is that Oxford shows an insane amount of potential behind the camera. The visual style shows genuine creativity and the director’s distinct voice. This is a colorful and quirky period piece that, with a better script, could have been a ton of joyous fun.

Pink Skies Ahead does not live up to expectations given by its unique premise and talented cast. It manages to stick the landing, but one must put up with an hour of nuisances to get to that point, and it’s not quite worth it.

Pink Skies Ahead debuted at the 2020 AFI FEST which runs virtually October 15-22.

Rating: 2.5/5
               
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About