‘Little Brother’ ATLFF Review – Incredibly Compelling and Handled with Care

Synopsis: Two brothers drive across the American West attempting to reconcile past traumas and forge a new bond in Sheridan O’Donnell’s deeply moving feature debut. Jake (Daniel Diemer, Netflix’s The Half Of It) and his brother Pete (Philip Ettinger, A24’s First Reformed) pile into a busted-up van, headed from Albuquerque to Seattle. Pete has just attempted suicide for the umpteenth time and his concerned parents (JK Simmons, Spiderman: No Way Home, Whiplash) have recruited Jake to drive Pete home for a family intervention.

Sometimes it takes a stranger to impart the perspective you were blind to, but definitely needed. It’s curiously bizarre and beautifully weird how someone can come into your life, even briefly, and completely read you up and down. When they tell you exactly what you need to hear without knowing you or what you’re going through, for a small moment, everything feels connected and possible as a faint light begins to peer through whatever darkness that currently you’re in because this stranger has seemingly made it out of that same shadowy cavern. The journey may not be an easy one or one that is ultimately successful, however, you can take solace in the fact that it’s been trekked many times over and completed. Don’t give up or give in. Whatever you’re going through, trying to dig your way out is always worth it.

“You tried to fucking kill yourself!”

Regardless of how you’re feeling, you belong here. Written and directed by Sheridan O’Donnell, Little Brother is incredibly compelling and handled with care. Capturing the plight and utter frustration of those who suffer from mental illness, without trying, also encapsulates the general feeling of a generation. Residing directly between the sufferer, the sympathizer, and the cynic, O’Donnell creates a genuine narrative that traverses this dire situation from all angles. This unconventional and cathartic road trip story delivers an older brother in Pete who has again attempted to take a permanent leave of absence from life, a little brother, Jake, who is angry and confused but wants to understand why Pete wants to leave him behind, and their father who thinks that it’s all a selfish ploy for attention.

We are not only embedded within family drama but a generational disconnect as well. Pete represents millennials as we are in that weird place between burying our issues deep inside like we were taught to do and the contemporary acceptance of seeking counseling. Additionally, the more that we realize that everything has been a lie and the American dream never truly existed, we don’t want to be here. The once bright flame has been slowly dimming. Jake embodies the Gen Z spirit of speaking up when something is amiss, being open-minded and accepting of differences, along with the willingness to change one’s mind when new information is learned. Alternatively, their father, played by J.K. Simmons, is a hardened Boomer who would rather believe that self-serving egotism is the issue rather than the severity of his son’s mental state. Not realizing that the world that he grew up in is long gone. Nevertheless, possessing compassion and gentleness, this is an immensely human film that says, I may not fully grasp the weight of your mental and emotional anguish, but I want to understand and I’m here for you.

“Please, don’t leave me.”

Every so often there are a few films that have a profound understanding of the current times. It’s not always about the huge happenings that overtake the headlines but what lies underneath it all and defines a moment in time. Little Brother is one of those films. Joining the ranks of like-minded films such as On the Count of Three, these films are a declaration that as the world becomes increasingly more complex and troubling, emotions can no longer be “stuffed down” or ignored and we are clearly failing as a society in multiple facets. Furthermore, it makes it abundantly clear that the stigma around therapy should disappear and should be available more than ever.

As grounded as the film is in a desert of despair, there are clouds of hope all around. It has heart, subtle humor, and when it not tackling the heavy topics, we’re watching two brothers finally open up and fully understand and accept one another. Whether you’re in one of the three categories mentioned above or have been through some kind of sibling issue, there is plenty to relate to. The tone of the film is perfect, the cinematography is great, and the performances drive the message home. I enjoyed this film a great deal. It gives you a ton to think about. Its rewatchability is high.

Pace & Pop

The film features a pace that is smooth as well as thoughtful. It moves rather effortlessly despite its tough subject matter and with great purpose. The thing that popped for me the most was the writing. It’s hard-hitting without being needlessly complicated, relatable, and authentic.

Characters & Chemistry

Starring: Philip Ettinger, Daniel Diemer, JK Simmons, Polly Draper, Natsuko Ohama

The emotion-filled performances of Daniel Diemer and Philip Ettinger make this road trip drama hit home in more ways than one. Not only do they capture the organic nature of a sibling relationship but their delivery and understanding of the task at hand drives the emotional aspect over the top. The pair also found a way to effortlessly encapsulate the fervor of their respective generations.

Little Brother premiered at the 2023 Atlanta Film Festival. Remain safe and check on your friends and loved ones.

Runtime: 1h 34m

Director: Sheridan O’Donnell

Writer: Sheridan O’Donnell

Producers: Keagan Karnes, Chris Dodds, Sheridan O’Donnell, Dylan Matlock, JP Ouellette, Brent Morris

Executive Producers: Philip Ettinger, Tirrell Whittley, David Moore, Shad Adair, Mary Haarmeyer

Cinematographer: Conor Murphy

Editor: Mike Selemon