Breakup Season is H. Nelson Tracey’s writing and directorial debut, having had a successful run at various film festivals this year. The film has begun a theatrical run, and it is one to watch as it will screen in multiple states through December. The story is authentic and has an excellent cast to portray the various characters who find themselves together over the holidays.
SYNOPSIS – Unemployed yet ambitious 24-year-old Ben Russell brings his girlfriend Cassie to his rural Oregon hometown to meet his family and celebrate Christmas. The arrival is bumpy. The family’s dynamic unearths the internal conflict Cassie is having with Ben. The night they arrive, a late-night argument turns into a breakup. Cassie determines she should go home for Christmas after all.
But because of the remote location, a raging snowstorm, and busy holiday travel, there is no way for Cassie to leave. Cassie is now stuck with her newly minted ex and his entire family until the end of Christmas. Drama, comedy, and serious heartbreak ensue. Funny, dramatic, and bittersweet in equal measure. Breakup Season is an authentic look at early 20s love and heartbreak. Subverting traditional holiday conventions with a more grounded and relatable approach than typical holiday fare, the film explores the topics of family and breakups with sincerity.
The Breakup Season begins with a couple, Ben (Chandler Riggs, “The Walking Dead”) and Cassie (Samantha Isler, Molly’s Game) who have traveled to Oregon for the Christmas holiday. Cassie has yet to meet Ben’s family. Ben’s older half-brother Gordon (Jacob Wysocki, Pitch Perfect) sounds quite obnoxious as he questions Cassie’s dietary choices at dinner. It becomes an uncomfortable dinner scene, and subsequently, this is the straw that breaks the relationship. Cassie ends the relationship on the first night of the trip. Ben appears clueless about Cassie’s miserable life for quite a while. The next morning, Cassie discovers they are snowed in, and no flights are available.
Ben’s parents, Kirby (James Urbaniak, The Fabelmans) and Mia (Brook Hogan, Fun House TV movie), are loving and supportive and make the best of the situation for all to be comfortable. Ben’s younger sister, Liz (Carly Stewart), is very good in her performance as a social media influencer, and there are a few humorous scenes. She is sensitive to the young couple’s troubles and seeks to be as supportive as possible. Kirby can be quirky around his kids, but the scene where he takes Ben out for a walk is his sincere effort to help.
Principal photography was in La Grande, Oregon, east of Portland, and the beauty of the state was captured by Director of Photography Eric Macey and 2nd Unit DP T.G. Firestone.
The World Premiere was held in March at the Desertscape Film Festival, St. George, Utah, and won Best Feature, Best Actress (Samantha Isler), Best Ensemble, and Audience Choice. It continued the festival circuit this year, including Waco and San Antonio this summer and El Paso.
The film started the theatrical release in Los Angeles on November 14th through the 21st, then on to other cities and states. To learn more about additional screenings in your area, visit the website and the Texas screening listed as of this writing on December 12th in Waco. Breakupseasonmovie.com/screenings
Runtime: 102 mins
Genre: Dramedy, Romance
Rating: Not Yet Rated (likely PG-13)
The film will be released on TVOD on December 6th
Source: Static Films and Buffalo 8