Donald Cried

Name: Donald Cried
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: March 3, 2017
Duration: 85 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Jesse Wakeman, Kristopher Avedisian

2017

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Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 4 Ratings

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Donald Cried

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Movie Details & Credits

Orchard, The | Release Date: March 3, 2017

Starring: Jesse Wakeman, Kristopher Avedisian

Summary: Peter Latang (Jesse Wakeman) left working class Warwick, Rhode Island to reinvent himself as a slick, Wall Street mover and shaker. Fifteen years later, when he's forced to return home to bury his Grandmother he loses his wallet on the trip. Stranded, the only person he can think of to help him out is his next door neighbor and formerPeter Latang (Jesse Wakeman) left working class Warwick, Rhode Island to reinvent himself as a slick, Wall Street mover and shaker. Fifteen years later, when he's forced to return home to bury his Grandmother he loses his wallet on the trip. Stranded, the only person he can think of to help him out is his next door neighbor and former childhood friend Donald Treebeck (Kris Avedisian). Donald hasn't changed a bit, and what starts as a simple favor turns into a long van ride into their past.… Expand

Director: Kristopher Avedisian

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Runtime: 85 min

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Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden

Mar 2, 2017

Donald Cried is an acutely insightful, exquisitely written and acted triumph for Mr. Avedisian, who understands how the past permanently clings to us. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Jan 19, 2017

While hardly reinventing the wheel, Donald Cried spins it faster than usual, taking cues from its memorably irritating protagonist. Beneath its entertainment value, the movie also hints at the tragedy of aimless adulthood. Read full review

The Playlist Gary Garrison

Mar 3, 2017

Donald Cried is a film of small moments (that is almost marred by an explosive one) and it seems intent to linger in wistfulness, in the sort of hushed sadness that never becomes a fever pitch, but is all the better for it. Read full review

Elise Nakhnikian

Jan 19, 2017

Finding the drama and humor in everyday situations like these isn't easy, but Avedisian makes it look as natural as swinging on a vine. Read full review

The Film Stage Ethan Vestby

Jan 19, 2017

Avedisian, as a director, certainly leaves the film to him and his fellow performers to dominate, but not so much in the sense of ostentatious close-ups of heartfelt monologues — rather by capturing the uncomfortable physical confrontations between everybody. Read full review

Robert Abele

Mar 2, 2017

Touches of empathy and self-awareness invariably crystallize the unsettling emotions of revisiting one’s past life. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Nick Allen

Mar 3, 2017

In the true spirit of this profoundly uninteresting movie, Donald Cried can only shrug through its central notion that men will be sad boys. Read full review

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arrivist

Sep 17, 2017

Three friends: Kris Avedisian, Kyle Espeleta and Jesse Wakeman felt the creative urge to expand Donald Cried from a short-film into an 85-minute feature. The whole backstory to the making of Donald, reflects other conscientious film-makers like John Cassavetes, who felt driven to make a filmThree friends: Kris Avedisian, Kyle Espeleta and Jesse Wakeman felt the creative urge to expand Donald Cried from a short-film into an 85-minute feature. The whole backstory to the making of Donald, reflects other conscientious film-makers like John Cassavetes, who felt driven to make a film because they truly loved and believed in a project; wanting to share it with everybody, rather than the cynical need to debase cinema for financial gain or status. Shot almost entirely hand-held, in a documentary style; the colours and image quality for the video are surprisingly lush given the budget constraints. The framing of the local amenities and spots set in deep snow are also alluring. It may sound facetious, yet as a Brit, I found locations and atmosphere of Warwick, R.I, fascinating, even exotic. The film is reminiscent of other indie classics such as Buffalo '66 and Garden State, in that in makes the everyday and mundane seem architectural and beautiful. The excellent use of non-actors (friends and family) on screen, brings Cassavetes to mind again. Admittedly, at times, some of the camera work is shoddy and a bit amateur; yet it doesn't distract from the narrative which is engrossing throughout. What's most astounding about the film, is the 'almost too real' dynamics between the central characters. In 85-mins, we, as the viewer endure many all the tensions and emotions you'd experience between old friends. Its clear that Avedisian and Wakeman have known each other for a long time, and they brilliantly capitialise on their relationship in the film.

'If the audience knew what they wanted then they wouldn't be the audience, they would be the artist.' There is space for the art in-amongst the endless Star Wars and Transformers reboots and sequels; alongside conscientious and personal films like these. It's our job as an audience to remind film cinema chains, film producers and studios executives of this; then we should leave the artists to do theirs.… Expand

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