Trust [DVD] [1990]

So I've given the film five stars. You'd expect a glowing review. And you'd be right. But only because in the world of Hal Hartley, if you're to see one film, then choose this one. Hartley can have a habit of repeating itself. The first four films are undoubtly the best and since 'Amateur' you might be forgiven for feeling you've seen it all before. The themes may change but the language of his films doesn't. So trust me. Before you become immune to the Hartley way of seeing things and his coversations restrict rather than liberate, then watch this one; compact, amusing, thoughtful, sharp, deadpan and with a Martin Dovavan whose grumpiness only makes you love him more.
Oh, and for Adrianne Shelley, who sadly is no longer with us.

It's simple. Trust. And yet it is the hardest thing to do.

Trust in others. Trust in yourself.

The characters that are forced into each others lives in this beautiful, touching and sensitive film are compelled to look at their own life, their own situations and also that of the other. Beautifully acted in gobsmacking plainness is Adrienne Shelly and Martin Donovan (a man I would sleep with!), with Hal Hartley's dead-pan screenplay, it is pure enjoyment, and widely funny. It's not a comedy aimed for the lazy brain, but an attempt to show us what people are capable of doing given the right circumstances at the wrong time. It's the best portrayal of messed up youths done in an anti-John Hughes way, especially of a young girl's 'growing-up' that is at it's core and truly inspirational.

Teenager Maria Coughlan (beautifully portrayed by Adrienne Shelly) is thrown out of her home by her tired and frustrated mum after becoming pregnant to the High School jock, and for slapping her dad moments before his fatal heart attack. She meets up with disillusioned Matthew Slaughter (wonderful dead-pan humour by Martin Donovan). He carries a hand grenade and a few classic books around contemplating all sorts. Their meeting of chance sets them up against each other's fears and accomplishments unachieved, Maria being the one who carries through a great deal of choices she makes in the right direction to turn her life around. Matthew attempts to reunite with people in general and work, but is overcome by the apathy of others, and in turn becomes apathetic. With a missing baby in the news, they try to find out the reason behind it and solve this mystery while solving their own.

Other characters in the movie (notably Maria's slightly obsessed mum, played with ruthless calmness by Merritt Nelson) interweave in and out of the story as the thread that has bound the 2 main characters in the choices they had made, but now choose their own paths.

It's about growing up, letting go, and trusting. The best heart felt moment for me (and one of the funniest) is the catching scene between petit Marie, and larger than life Matthew. It is the turning point of the film. The centre piece.

It's gritty, compelling and very funny. Hugely enjoyable, and Hal Hartley's most accomplished film for me. American independent cinema at its best ever!

This is my number one favourite film, right next to 'Drowning By Numbers'.

Arrrr, I waited some time for this movie to come out on DVD. It's one of his best. There's sex and death, love and hate, industrial sabotage and abduction and all while one of the main protagonists is still of school age. It's brilliant. You want to laugh and cry all at the same time. The characters are so life like that they jump out of the box. It's a beautiful love story that goes exactly where it should - nowhere. A must see for anyone interested in films and life.