Flicked through Comcast new movie rentals last night in search of something worth viewing and stumbled upon Humboldt County, the newly released first feature debut of Darren Grodsky and Danny Jacobs, a daring duo who bring a breath of fresh air to modern American film production whilst paying extensive homage to stylish film making of the 70s.
Under the radar and off the grid, alternative lives intertwine beneath the Redwoods of the 'Lost Coast' for a striking West-Coast, grass-isn't always greener small-film hit in the realm of Sideways, and Bottle Shock.
Stage actor Jeremy Strong portrays promising medical doctor Peter in a most outstanding, highly entertaining first feature film debut - facial expressions bringing to mind a young Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), but far less ridiculous.
Frances Conroy and Chris Messina most recognizable cast members - as Rosie, the perpetually stoned, hippy earth-Mom (known for her matriachal role as Ruth in Six Feet Under) and Max (seen more recently in Vicky Christina Barcelona).
The film had been given a huge splurge in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat entertainment pages a few weeks back, in part because the business of pot growing is so enormous throughout the coastal redwood forests here in Northern California, and the subject of ongoing, heated debate and sweeping, dramatic helicopter raids by the Feds and also because we tend to be a little bit voyaristic when our neighbors are up on the big screen.
Who knows where it will all end up, legality-wise, but having experienced first-hand an inappropriately placed, chaotic neighborhood medical marijuana enterprise (long since relocated to a more rural domestic outpost somewhere slightly closer to the coast), it does make one wonder whether designating vast, remote regions such as those of the 'Lost Coast' to licenced pot farming might not be a bad idea after all.
Take a look at this film, it's not about the drugs as much as a coming of age of a kaleidoscopic blend of colorful characters.
Stage actor Jeremy Strong portrays promising medical doctor Peter in a most outstanding, highly entertaining first feature film debut - facial expressions bringing to mind a young Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), but far less ridiculous.
Frances Conroy and Chris Messina most recognizable cast members - as Rosie, the perpetually stoned, hippy earth-Mom (known for her matriachal role as Ruth in Six Feet Under) and Max (seen more recently in Vicky Christina Barcelona).
The film had been given a huge splurge in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat entertainment pages a few weeks back, in part because the business of pot growing is so enormous throughout the coastal redwood forests here in Northern California, and the subject of ongoing, heated debate and sweeping, dramatic helicopter raids by the Feds and also because we tend to be a little bit voyaristic when our neighbors are up on the big screen.
Who knows where it will all end up, legality-wise, but having experienced first-hand an inappropriately placed, chaotic neighborhood medical marijuana enterprise (long since relocated to a more rural domestic outpost somewhere slightly closer to the coast), it does make one wonder whether designating vast, remote regions such as those of the 'Lost Coast' to licenced pot farming might not be a bad idea after all.
Take a look at this film, it's not about the drugs as much as a coming of age of a kaleidoscopic blend of colorful characters.
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