Plot Summary
After BethAnn is the victim of a car wreck, she is left paralyzed and angry at the world. She feels like God hates her, and she definitely does not want to go live with her Christian father. She is also angry that she is now behind in school. BethAnn feels like her life has no meaning, but her father and his farm hand help her see otherwise. Only when BethAnn is able to forgive the man who put her in the wheelchair will she be able to move to a new place in life.
Production Quality (1.5 points)
As a whole, No Lost Cause has a mostly average production. This is evident in the fine video quality, yet the camera work and audio quality are inconsistent, including a generic soundtrack and some echoing audio. Sets, props, and locations are somewhat limited to a few options. However, there is improvement to these issues as the film goes on. Editing is fairly standard, which overall rounds out an overall average production.
Plot and Storyline Quality (.5 point)
While this film is an interesting attempt to develop realistic characters with realistic struggles, it definitely does not go deep enough. Dialogue stays around the surface rather than showing character motives, back stories, and personalities. The premise is also somewhat limited and needed deeper characters to sustain it. This is a nice idea with a slight amount of potential, but it needed definite upgrading. Also, the romantic subplot is too predictable and shallow. The characters arcs that are created are far too steep and suggest that being a good person will automatically heal you of physical ailments. Further, the ending and resolution of problems are too rushed and unrealistic. Thus, this idea could really use a rewrite.
Acting Quality (2 points)
While there are some moments of over-acting, including some forced emotions and lines, most of the members of this small cast are trying to be realistic and interesting in their characters, even if they didn’t have much to work with. There are some awkward moments and a few random outbursts, but on the whole, this is an above average effort.
Conclusion
No Lost Cause is a good first-time film as it keeps things simple and doesn’t try to go too far outside of its bounds. Even still, since this is a character-driven plot, it would have been much better to see deeper characters through more substantial dialogue and clearer character motivations. However, perhaps this creative team still has better things in store.
Final Rating: 4 out of 10 points
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