Brandon (Guy Bonneau) is by no means father material. Still in his
early twenties, he lacks experience, is not one to take responsibility,
can't always control his temper ... heck, he's just like most guys are at
his age - and yet, he's stuck with legal guardianship of his teenaged
brother (Ryan Jamison), a kid who demands more than he can give, sees
injustice where there is none, takes to sulking, and isn't entirely sure
if the world wouldn't end if he did the dishes as asked - in short, he is
a teen like all teens. So the tension between the brothers is only
natural, but heightened not only by the fact that Brandon is supposed to
take care of his little brother, he also feels responsible for the death
of their parents ... One of the more quiet and intimate films
by teen director Ryan Jamison, Mourning Day and Night actually
works thanks to its quiet moments, its lack of action and excitement, it's
often self-consciously static camerawork, and also thanks to its actors,
who really manage to bring their characters to life in little gestures and
facial expressions rather than acting everything out. A very mature film
considering its rather young director/star Jamison.
|