6 Independent Films You Probably Missed (That You Totally Need To Watch)
By Lily Perez
1. Comet (2014)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUpQhgl9PGQ&w=560&h=315]
Comet, directed and written by Sam Esmail, stars the lovely Emmy Rossum and Justin Long. The film focuses on the six-year relationship of Dell (Long) and Kimberly (Rossum). The film goes back and forth and is told non-chronologically. Comet is not your typical romantic film and shows the good, the bad and everything in between.
2. Before I Disappear (2014)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bosMzZh916I&w=560&h=315]
Before I Disappear is a film that focuses on the events that happen throughout the span of one night. Director Shawn Christensen tells the story of a screwup named Richie who is forced to look after his estranged sister’s 11-year-old daughter, Sophia. The film stars Emmy Rossum, Shawn Christensen, Fatima Ptacek and did we mention Paul Wesley? If that alone isn’t reason enough to watch Before I Disappear, it also has a pretty awesome soundtrack.
3. Palo Alto (2014)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTqMUu1iTIo&w=560&h=315]
Directed by Gia Coppola, Palo Alto is her interpretation of James Franco’s book of short stories — also entitled Palo Alto. The film focuses on a group of teens who live in, you guessed it: Palo Alto and stars Emma Roberts, Nat Wolff, Jack Kilmer, Zoe Levin and James Franco. The film has a dreamlike quality that will captivate you along with its effortlessly paired soundtrack. Coppola will make you fall in love with these characters and gives a fresh spin to the coming of age concept.
4. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them, Him, Her (2014)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KrhMbS9uh8&w=560&h=315]
The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby explores the different sides there are to a love story. The film stars Jessica Chastain (Eleanor Rigby) and James McAvoy (Connor Ludlow) and is written and directed by Ned Benson. What’s unique about this film is that it’s shot from three different perspectives, and was made into three films: Them, Him and Her. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them, is the version that hit theaters wide and is a combination of Him and Her. The other two versions were limited releases and one was told from Eleanor’s perspective (Her) and the other from Connor’s perspective (Him). Whether you watch only one or all three films the storyline will pull at your heartstrings.
5. Laggies (2014)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xep7s36qZL0&w=560&h=315]
Growing up and figuring out what you’re supposed to do with your life can be hard, Laggies captures this perfectly. Keira Knightley plays Megan, a twenty-something struggling with adulthood who begins hanging out with a group of high school kids. The film also stars Chloe Grace Moretz, Ellie Kemper and Sam Rockwell. This film will make you laugh and if you’re anything like me fall in love with Sam Rockwell.
6. The Pretty One (2014)
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNx_R6LdB9o&w=560&h=315]
The Pretty One is a cute story about identical twins Audrey and Laurel both played by the fantastic Zoe Kazan. After a terrible accident occurs one of the twins gets mistaken for the other and things unravel from there. This charming story of self-identity and discovery also stars Jake Johnson.