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Kenny
"Kenny" a short documentary by Stacey Stone is reviewed by J. Zimmerman of Independent Movie Review.
The Sepulveda family has gone through a rough patch as of late. In the wake of the loss of the family patriarch, Grandmother Anselma (Alma Martinez) and her daughter, Victoria (Romi Dias) are at odds with each other in their disparate grieving styles: While Anselma wishes to move on and be happy again, Victoria sees this as a betrayal since she’s done everything in her power to leave the family restaurant just as her father left it.
Victoria’s youngest, Matias (Ramon O. Torres), skirts his financial responsibilities, putting the family’s restaurant at risk after his automated taco truck startup failed. His sister, Cecilia (Diana Elizabeth Torres), discovers this and, with the help of their grandmother, they try to right the situation. Matias promises to fix the problem with a Hail Mary attempt to pique a famous investor’s interest at an internet influencer conference. Cecilia promises to cover for him (as she always–spitefully–does) at home as Anselma and Victoria fight about how to go about running the Sepulveda family dinner.
Despite its twisting and multifaceted storytelling style, A Little Family Drama is an incredibly accessible film. The drama unfolds in this perfect Goldilocks zone of backstory, main story, and side plot where things feel real instead of just well crafted. Surely every family has had at least one similar feud, making the family element of this family film its highest appeal. I’m honestly shocked that this is writer, producer, and director Nadia Zoe’s debut feature: There’s such evidence of skill throughout the film’s production, my gut told me she’s had at least three or four similar projects under her belt, but I was wrong. I hope we see more from her soon.
A Little Family Drama is by far the best family film I’ve seen in the past few years. The acting was almost always fantastic, bringing home the emotional main plot as the various threads of each family member’s stories intertwine. It’s just clever enough, just silly enough, and just melodramatic enough. Even the drug-related scenes didn’t seem too far-fetched or unrealistic–something the family film genre tends to struggle with. I don’t think I have a single complaint about this finely-made movie. Look no further if you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser with subtle, realistic themes about family conflict, grief, and forgiveness.
Sweet yet tragic, modern and wholesome, A Little Family Drama is a must-watch for drama lovers and would be a perfect choice for any family movie night. For its broad appeal and masterful production, I have to give A Little Family Drama the highest possible rating, the coveted Golden Mic.
