Light from Light (2019)

Light from Light: Directed by Paul Harrill. With Marin Ireland, Jim Gaffigan, Josh Wiggins, Atheena Frizzell. A single mom and part-time paranormal investigator is asked to look into a possible “haunting” at a widower’s farmhouse in East Tennessee.

“Oak Cliff Film Festival 2019nGreetings again from the darkness. Festivals are often programmed with many films that will never be screened outside of a festival environment … low-budget passion projects to be viewed only by those with an appreciation (bordering on obsession) of deep cut and one-off films. Writer-Director Paul Harrill (SOMETHING, ANYTHING) has possibly bridged the gap with a film that capitalizes on grief, while excelling in quietness and stillness.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMarin Ireland (u0026quot;Homelandu0026quot;) stars as Sheila, a single mom who plods through each day at her dead-end job as a rental car agent. We learn from a radio interview that Sheila may also have a connection to the afterlife, and she sometimes works as a ghost hunter or paranormal investigator – although, she has somehow lost her crew. Still, this doesnu0026#39;t stop a Priest from reaching out to her in hopes that she can help Richard (Jim Gaffigan), a distraught widower who has reported strange occurrences in his farmhouse – occurrences that may or may not be related to his dead wife, and occurrences that he may or may not be imagining.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSheila takes the job (even though sheu0026#39;s no Zelda Rubinstein) and recruits her teenage son Owen (Josh Wiggins, so good in HELLION, 2014) and his friend-study partner-would be girlfriend Lucy (Athena Frizzell) to help set up cameras and recording devices at Richardu0026#39;s house. Itu0026#39;s at this point where it should be noted that this is not a horror film. Itu0026#39;s not even a thriller. And even though Gaffigan co-stars, itu0026#39;s certainly not a comedy. Itu0026#39;s not even really a ghost story or a romantic tale, although those elements do exist.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe intrigue is derived from these four characters. These are not special or extraordinary people – just normal folks trying to figure out life. We learn the inner struggles of each, and as viewers we are joined at the hip with them. Itu0026#39;s been a year since Richardu0026#39;s wife died in the crash, and heu0026#39;s still coming to terms with her death, and even more so, the affair she confessed. Sheila is wondering where she fits in the world, and her advice to Owen proves the level of overprotectiveness she has for emotion. Owen likes Lucy, but doesnu0026#39;t see the point in starting a relationship that will end when she heads off to school, and Lucy is confused by his reaction to her strong attraction to him.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eMs. Ireland and Mr. Gaffigan are both excellent here, and having recently seen the latter in THEM THAT FOLLOW, Iu0026#39;m not the least bit surprised that he can pull off such a dramatic turn. The film reaches a different level in their scenes together – especially a hike to the crash site located within the Great Smoky Mountains. Not much is said, and there is little action, but the scene solidifies all the emotions hinted at in the preceding scenes.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA film that might be characterized by some as slow and dull, may just strike a chord with enough folks to gain some momentum for an audience. David Lowery, the director of A GHOST STORY, 2017) is an executive producer, so he has a track record of success with stories that are understated and quiet. Are there ghosts among us – possibly even the living? Richard and Sheila come pretty close. Additionally, special recognition goes out for a practical effect that is the filmu0026#39;s crescendo … and it involves Tolstoy! So rather than view this as a bit of a downer, as the title suggests, we should let there be light.”