RIALTO Film Review September 22, 2020
Rialto
Reviewed: 9/22/2020
Breaking Glass Pictures
Rating: 4 / 5
Available virtually at:
Laemmle Virtual Cinema : https://www.laemmle.com/film/rialto
The Cleveland Institute of Art - Cinematheque: https://watch.eventive.org/rialto/play/5f5fcbe344420c005be36217
Available on VOD and DVD 10/20/2020
(Breaking Glass Pictures)
The downfall of a person is never easy to watch, in film or in real life. In the film, “Rialto”, we watch a man lost, directionless, always saying “sorry” to the people in his life, and searching for acceptance in the most unlikely place.
Colm (played brilliantly by Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) is a 46 year old man, husband, and father. Working a good job at the docks since he was sixteen years old, his life has stagnated. The death of his father (who wasn’t the best role model), his mother grieving, and his sister distant, Colm finds solace in the arms of 19 year old Jay (played by Tom Glynn-Carney), a young lad that works as a male prostitute.
Colm can’t bring himself to tell his wife, who is forced to watch her husband disintegrate for reasons unknown to her. His relationship with his daughter is strong but his son has grown spiteful of his old man.
(Courtesy Breaking Glass Pictures)
“Rialto” is an exchange of services but there is much more meaning to the title within the context of the film. Colm clearly has something missing in his life, a void that he can’t seem to fill. Instead of confiding in his wife about where his head is at, he pushes her away. Jay is a neutral third party, someone he can talk to, even though it’s strictly business for Jay.
The film is compelling from beginning to end. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is so lost in the character of Colm, it is just amazing to watch as his character struggles from scene to scene to make sense of his life and his choices. An exceptional performance.
Tom Glynn-Carney also gives a top notch performance as Jay. He is the average young man trying to make things right with his girlfriend and their baby. He has no support system so he does what he can to survive. But, he also shows compassion and understanding to Colm, as a provider of services.
“Rialto” is a film that tackles an intense subject with courage and leaves the audience ready to discuss it once the lights go up.
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts
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