Title: Kelly and Cal

Starring: Juliette Lewis, Jonny Weston, Josh Hopkins and Cybill Shepherd

People have often envied their friends, family members, peers and neighbors for the seemingly positive personal and professional opportunities they’ve been granted, and strive to reach that same level of success. The two title characters in the award-winning independent comedy-drama, ‘Kelly & Cal,’ which played at this year’s SXSW, lead lives that superficially appear as though they couldn’t be more different from each other. But the movie, which marks the feature film debuts of director Jen McGowan and writer Amy Lowe Starbin, passionately showcases that when people truly talk, they can discover their lives aren’t as different as they initially believed. As they get to know each other, they come to genuinely cherish what they already have, and their jealousy isn’t as warranted as they initially believed it should be.

‘Kelly & Cal’ follows first-time mother, Kelly (Juliette Lewis), who’s still struggling to connect with her son, Jackson, six weeks after his birth. The former musician, who was once a bassist in the ‘90s rock band, Wet-nap, is trying to find a way to fit into the stereotype of what the perfect mother should be, after moving into a new suburban neighborhood. Dealing with a mild case of postpartum depression, as well as an emotionally distant husband, Josh (Josh Hopkins), and a group of local mothers who don’t seem keen on accepting her into their social circle, Kelly tries to find the positives in her new life.

But Kelly suddenly begins to feel appreciated when one of her teenage neighbors, Cal (Jonny Weston), approaches her one day when she’s taking a mental break from caring for Jackson. After forming a somewhat unconventional bond during their conversation over the fence, Kelly begins spending time with Cal. The two are so desperate for attention from someone who understands them, they overlook the fact that he’s still in high school and became confined to a wheelchair after he was involved in a recent accident

While Josh putting in more hours at work every night, and his overbearing mother, Bev (Cybill Shepherd), and sister, Julie (Lucy Owen), spending more time at the couple’s house, Kelly repeatedly finds solace in Cal. The two discuss their various troubles, including Kelly feeling emotionally abandoned by her husband and Cal’s girlfriend ending their relationship after his accident, the two instantly begin to bond. As the new mother is flattered by the attention Cal is offering her, and the teen enjoying the new rebellious phase Kelly is experiencing with him, their seemingly innocent friendship begins to push the boundaries of what’s socially, emotionally and morally acceptable.

McGowan and Lowe Starbin both effortlessly highlighted the turbulent and realistic struggles people continuously face throughout their lives in ‘Kelly & Cal.’ While movies often create an idealistic outlook on the joys of motherhood and the care-free and easy-going lifestyles of teenagers, the comedy-drama took a more endearing and heart-felt approach to how people should best approach their grief and questioning of their self-worth.

Kelly is represented as having what people often view as the ideal lifestyle for a new mother, as she can stay at home with her son while her husband works to provide for them. She also has a mother-in-law, who’s willing to help care for Jackson, so that she can have time to relax and maintain her identity outside of being a mother. Julie even questions why Kelly isn’t happy, as she has everything she’s always wanted in her own personal life, to which the title character responds by stating she doesn’t why she doesn’t feel more fulfilled.

Lewis enthrallingly portrayed Kelly as wanting to maintain her connection to her youth and care-free lifestyle from when she was in Wet-nap, while she balances her new domestic responsibilities. But after seeing the friends she had from her single life, who aren’t married or have children of their own yet, Kelly feels like they no longer understand each other’s priorities. At the same time, the actress grippingly showcases how her character feels confused on why she doesn’t feel a more natural connection to her first child.

Since Josh doesn’t have the time to understand his wife’s confusion, or even fully realize the confusions she’s contending with, Cal perfectly comprehends the emotional distance Kelly is experiencing from those who used to truly care for her. While he doesn’t want to reveal too much information about the accident that led to his injury to Kelly, his angst about his family and friends not appreciating the physical and emotional struggles he continuously faces naturally connects the two together.

Weston was the perfect choice to portray the troubled teen, who constantly makes jokes when he first meets Kelly, in an effort to prove how at ease he is with his new life. But as the two title characters’ friendship more deeply develops throughout the course of the film, the actor subtly began infusing Cal with stronger, deeper and more realistic feelings about his older neighbor. He doesn’t view Kelly as a married mother who is only talking to him to escape her own life; he truly and harrowingly thinks of her as a potential love interest as she encourages him to continue to pursue his love of music and art. Weston grippingly portrayed Cal as not taking into account how his growing romantic feelings for Kelly could ruin their relationship, as he’s increasingly desperate to hold onto any connection he can.

‘Kelly & Cal’ is a standout debut effort from both McGowan and Starbin, who jointly provide a captivatingly realistic portrayal of the emotional pain people are continuously contending with throughout their lives. People often put on a show for the people around them, as they try to prove they’re happy with their choices and circumstances. Whether they’re living the same lifestyle as Kelly, who has the perceived domestic dream many Americans strive for, or are seemingly overcoming an obstacle like Cal, the title characters smartly prove that no one truly knows what another person’s happiness is, until they’ve seen life through their experiences.

Technical: B

Written by: Karen Benardello