|
NOT SO MERRY-GO-ROUND -- The Texas-made independent feature "Automatic" sets itself up as another chain-of-life film in the vein of "Short Cuts," "Magnolia" and that other one so recently declared the best film of 2005. The fates of six people on the cusp of big life changes -- divorce, job loss, a new relationship -- intertwine to a surprising (and sometimes disturbing) degree. By modestly casting its net over a mere sextet rather than dozens of characters, "Automatic" maintains ints focus. Short on digital video for a relative pittance, it also features surprisingly solid performances, especially from Sean O'Bryan and Brandy Howard as half-siblings who reunite over a twelve year separation, with unexpected results. Best of all, it refuses to preach, and that alone makes this anonymous indie better than "Crash."
|