Character-driven drama is poignant and moving [Tribeca]

There’s something about character-driven dramas that get to the heart of the human experience, turning a simple, but effective, movie into a more emotional ride for audiences. Directed by Ben Snyder from a screenplay by Elizabeth Rodriguez (who also stars), Alswell in New York
(formerly titled Allswell) Captures the beauty of a heartfelt, and generally well-told character-driven drama. The film brings the drama, but it is never overdone and the cast’s performances elevate the material, adding dimensions to the characters’ lives.

in new york, Alswell in New York Follows sisters Daisy (Rodriguez), Ida (Liza Colon-Zayas), and their sister-in-law Serene (Daphne Rubin-Vega). Daisy left a long-term abusive relationship before the start of the film and is expecting a child through a surrogate, Nina (Mackenzie Lansing), whom Daisy has invited into her home for the last couple of months of her pregnancy. Ida is in a stable relationship with her partner, Ray (Michael Rispoli), but is having a hard time after her co-worker and friend Clint (J. Cameron Barnett) is fired.

Meanwhile, Serene is trying to bridge the gap with Constance (Shirley Rodriguez), her rebellious, distant, and angsty daughter. They rely on each other in different ways, but are faced with another hardship when their estranged brother Desmond (Felix Solis), who is also Serene’s husband, comes back into their lives.

Allswell in New York soars as a character-driven drama

Alswell in New York Understand that not all stories have a conclusive ending, or even a proper closure. To this end, the film allows the characters to sit in their decisions, their mistakes, regrets, sadness, and joy. It is not concerned with tying up loose ends as much as it is a snapshot of the women’s lives and their loving, extremely complex and often tumultuous dynamics. To be sure, the core relationships lead to a lot of drama, including unresolved issues and resentments, but it never feels over-the-top.

The biggest downside is that the characters, although portrayed by the actors with compassion and dimension, can feel one-note at times. This is primarily because each of them is given one or two characteristics to define who they are to each other and as individuals. Colón-Zayas is the older, responsible, care-taking sister; Rodriguez is the one who makes rash decisions without being too careful or thinking about potential repercussions; And Rubin-Vege plays the strict mother who falls out on her daughter, even though she was considered a wild child in her own youth.

Despite this criticism, however, the exquisite performances and an overall solid script elevate the characters so that they still feel like real people going through a lot of messy, difficult situations. The emotion and character chemistry of the movie helps a lot to establish their story with each other. Snyder and Rodriguez aren’t concerned about inserting any major twists or turns to shock the audience. Rather, their screenplay gently and thoughtfully brings the characters into the light without their stories being made to be disjointed or contrived.

Allswell in New York is exalted by its large figure

But it could expand on the character dynamics

Alswell in New York It is very much a slice-of-life look at the characters’ big and small moments, exploring their headspace and their connections with another, as well as how the latter affects them on an individual basis. Rodriguez, Colón-Zayas and Rubin-Vega give moving, nuanced performances, making each of their characters feel like they’ve lived entire lives before the audience meets them. Their chemistry together is equally effective and they infuse their screen personas with so much heart, anger, frustration and a plethora of other emotions that make this film a must-watch for them alone.

The film has moments of humor and gravitas in equal measure, and it really soars when it focuses on the little things in each character’s life, working like a needle on a quilt, the patchwork part of a larger whole and still standing. Well enough on its own. Although Allswell in New York Could have certainly expanded on the character dynamics a bit more (some have more depth than others), the film is engaging and well handled overall. Between the descriptions, the evocative relationships and the drama, the film has a lot to offer its viewers.

Alswell in New York had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022. The film is playing in theaters on October 18. It is 95 minutes long and is rated R for language.