Joey Magidson
The completion of any independent film is really worth celebrating, especially these days. For every movie that actually gets made, scores more die well before cinematic birth, at one stage or another. So, when something reaches audiences, a lot had to go right. With The Addiction of Hope, it’s the drive inherent in getting its themes across to the viewer. For about 100 minutes, this flick manages to have something to say about family, gender, health, race, relationships, and even aging in Hollywood. Not every indie would be able to pull that off, given the small scale nature of the project.
The Addiction of Hope is a touching little tale, anchored in human emotions, as well as what it takes to change your life. When all too many people these days are feeling hopeless and stuck, that’s a message that can resonate. Even with minuscule resources and a five person crew, this labor of love manages to get the point across in a way that’s easy to embrace.
For Jo Stock (Anne-Marie Johnson), not only is she an African American woman of a certain age, she’s an aging actress as well. Living off of her past success in the business, she’s faced with a decision that could uproot her life. When her sister Lynnie (Harley Jane Kozak) gets sick, Jo begins to examine everything, including the importance of both family and fame. With things to say about it all, Jo is very much someone we can all see a bit of ourselves in.
The cast is very solid, with Anne-Marie Johnson leading the way, alongside Harley Jane Kozak. Johnson has a scene with Clancy Brown that’s not just an acting clinic, but feels like a look at the life of actors just trying to make a living. Johnson and Kozak have a feel for being siblings that’s very much lived in. The small scale of the film means that these performances need to carry the load, so it’s a relief to see that they very much do. In addition to Brown, supporting players here include Erika Alexander, Shari Belafonte, Anthony Carvello, Tom Dugan, Joe Hart, Beth Holmes, and more.
Writer/director Martin Grey is able to set up a well worn premise but never make it feel like a cliche. Making a true indie is an endurance test for all, so it’s a credit to Grey that this never feels like a shoestring production. Could the pacing be a little tighter and the run time be about ten or fifteen minutes shorter? Sure. Is it still a flick that rewards a viewer for their attention? Most definitely.
The Addiction of Hope is unlikely to blow you away, but it’s the sort of independent movie we all too rarely see on screens anymore. Even just as an endangered cinematic species, it’s worth protecting. However, it’s more than just that, as it’s a solid indie drama that a certain type of cinephile will be very into. These deserve to not fall between the cracks.
SCORE: ★★★
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