Although 2012 is the year of action on Dan's Movie Report, to change it up a bit I decided to take a chance on an independent dramatic film called Veer! Initially I actually heard about the film from actress Corsica Wilson (Dead Season) as she mentioned it in her interview. Please see link @ http://dansmoviereport.blogspot.com/2012/06/corsica-wilson-interview-c-2012.html
Veer is the story of skateboard star Jesse Sorenson. Jesse had it all at a young age, only to see his dream world come crashing down after his skateboarding contract expired. Jessie was the star of the DieNasty Skateboard team, and trained many of the younger skaters.
After the brief opening Veer is appropriately named, as his life is veering off course, he is living with his best friend and was eventually forced to leave by his best friend's wife. He moves back in with his grandmother, only to find his 17 year old niece staying there too, and actually in his old room.
Veer is an astonishingly effective drama because the various characters in Jesse's life are given the amount depth and screen time for the audience to care about the characters. Jesse (Jesse Gay) is a complex character, a man torn between family, as he has a son he loves and sneaks into his room at night with out his ex knowing about it, and creating his own line of skateboard team and company Veer! Jesse jumps into the role with ease and breaths life into the characters with his determination and intense character changes, the loving father, the caring uncle, and the kid inside skateboarder.
Actress Corsica Wilson portrays Jesse's Niece Sammie. She has moved out of her parents house and dropped out of school, but has a job at a local bistro. Corsica is amazing in this role as her character even though she is holding down a steady job, at 17 she puts on a blonde wig and is out all partying. A double life veering off course. Corsica's face and eyes well up with empathy and emotion throughout Veer!.
Even Jesse's Nana portrayed by Ellen Trent, is given depth here, a loving home, yet her nurturing nature, is seemingly saddened by the loss of her son, Jessie's father. Jesse's son (Bryan Carson) is adorable and has the love and desire to be like his father, even as a young actor understands the subtle nuances of his character.
The other aspect of Veer! that is particularly enjoyable is the multiple formats the film is presented in. The Black and White imagery is used when the scenes with Jesse are featured, the color is used when the big DieNasty Skateboard team is featured, and classic 8mm is used during the Veer skateboarding sequences. Actually it all merges together properly and makes perfect sense as it is a clever to set the tone of the film. Director Patrick Berry and writer Jesse Gay, craft an expertly written, and detail oriented film. Sometimes humorous, at times sad, always mirroring real life, Veer! is watching a world unfold and refold in 90 minutes.
Veer! is meant for a large screen with the music up. A story of hope and dreams, on a bumpy road. I am not going to spoil the film, but I give Veer! a 9.5 out of 10 and rate it as my TOP independent feature length film of 2012.
Veer! is currently making the film festival rounds, I recommend seeing it there if at all possible. Official Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/veerfilm Official Site @ http://www.skateveer.com/
For further information on the production company go to http://www.bluellamastudios.com/
