Moss Movie Review

Moss is a coming-of-age movie directed and scripted by Daniel Peddle. The music composition is by Ian Hatton. Cinematography is done by Juri Bey Thien and edited by Huang Zimo. Mitchell Slaggert plays the lead role. Christine Marzano, Dorian Cobb, Billy Ray Suggs, Hannah Johnston, and Carlene Ferguson are there in supporting roles. John Solomon produced the film.

Plot

Moss (Mitchell Slaggert) and his father Ray live on Pleasure Island, just off North Carolina's southernmost coast. Ray makes a living by carving driftwood sculptures, a trade Moss scorns. Moss has no mother. His mother died during childbirth, which is the reason for the tension between Moss and his father. When Ray tells the birthday boy to carry some medications to his grandmother rather than lay around on his "special day," Moss stomps off. On that very day, Moss encounters a strange and gorgeous hiker on the river banks near his house. She leads him on a voyage of self-discovery and assists him in overcoming his mother's untimely death and the shadow it has put on his relationship with his distant father.

Star Performance

Slaggert, a model who starred in the popular horror film "Wish Upon," holds the screen well enough but lacks the acting ability to provide any psychological complexity or depth on his own. If little uneven, supporting actors are acceptable.

Analysis

In addition to its visual splendor, the film conveys a delightful feeling of life's inherent harmony: the film's greater arc, such as it is, sees Moss and his father progress from mutual rage to reconciliation without the need for dialogue. Their disagreement is resolved simply by having enough time apart to cool down. Daniel Peddle, the director, explores rural North Carolina culture via subtle observations of texture and ambiance.

What’s There?

Beautiful Cinematography

What’s Not There?

The voiceover is pretentious

Verdict

Even if the film borders on trite, the feelings are genuine.