The Trailer:
Directors: Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead
Cast: Lou Taylor Pucci & Nadia Hilker
Synopsis: After losing his mother, Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci) goes to Italy to relieve himself of his grief and while there he enters a whirlwind romance with the mysterious, closed-off Louise (Nadia Hilker).
I really wanted to like Spring. I had heard so many great things about this film from fellow cinephiles, so when I finally saw it available on Amazon Prime video I was pumped! And for the most part I do enjoy the film. It's original and creative with a strange blend of sci-fi and romance. I'm not too keen on the romance aspect, which is where my disappointment lies. Let me first tell you what I admire about Spring.
Spring has the most creative, original story I've seen in quite some time. I can't discuss too much about the plot, because it would take away the surprise and awe of this amazing film and I won't deprive you of that. But I will say that it is amazing, though it is more of a romance than it is a sci-fi horror. Walking into (figuratively walking, as I watched this movie in the comfort of my room) this film I was expecting something with a bigger horror bite and a small romance nibble, hopefully significantly less romance. I was wrong, but I still watched and I was enamored. The setting is beautiful. It's filmed in Italy, and the gorgeous, easy-going atmosphere present really allows the film to blossom in a whirlwind of wonder and horrific fantasy. The aerial shots of crisp blue waters of the nearby beach are stunning, ominous, and always mirror what is happening in the story. When the water is calm and in it's most beautiful hues of blue, Evan and Louise are compatible and loving towards one another and Louise is stable: when the waters are choppy and angry, Evan and Louise are fighting and Louise is losing control. It's a wonderful parallel that the director's chose to utilize. In addition to the shots of the ocean, there are other shots of the beautiful scenery that Italy has to offer, especially the farm that Evan begins working on, including vivid close-ups of insects and bugs. These are important as there is a lot of discussion about nature and it's evolutionary timeline and how everything is connected. And on top of the evolution of nature, there is real conversation about religion and it's relationship with science, a conversation that doesn't disqualify or attempt to trivialize either subject but to marry them together. It's an intriguing mix, one that I have always been interested in. The acting is good. Lou Taylor Pucci is an adorable guy and his performance of Evan, a grief-stricken, romantic who wants desperately to understand Louise and win over her affection is believable. Nadia Hilker is gorgeous and has this air of dignified grace about her, even when she is being elusive and strays away from Evan's adoration. Her conviction to herself and to keeping her secrets is what sends Evan over the edge which in turn leads to Louise finally revealing her secrets. Their compatibility seems strange, but believable as part of the whole opposites attract theory.
What I didn't like: the romance which in turn ruins the ending for me. You, know I don't mind the falling in love aspect like some IMDb members who are dumbfounded at how a woman with Louise's level of intellect would fall in love with a guy like Evan, who is dumb (not really, but he's not book smart like Louise). I can understand that, Evan is charming and silly and a balance to Louise's strict allegiance to science and religion explaining her mysterious life. The thing I have a problem with is that I truly really wanted to see the alternate to Louise's ultimate decision and that I didn't want to see the happily ever after Disney ending. I wanted to see a truly fantastical ending to a truly fantastic film, but was instead delivered a clichéd, typical ending that is a little sloppily explained in my opinion. I just wasn't into it, though I know some people will enjoy it.
Spring is amazing and awe-inspiring. It's genuinely an original concept, though I could be wrong. If you know of another movie that is similar to Spring but maybe with a better ending, let me know! But I did enjoy Spring and would still recommend anyone who hasn't seen it to see it. It's a different kind of love story that has most likely never been told before. Would I watch it again? Definitely!!
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