If art is supposed to represent real life, then Jason Michael Brescia’s newest film hits the nail right on the head.
“Bridge and Tunnel” focuses on a group of 20-somethings trying to make a life in the suburbs of New York. Through vignettes spanning over the course of a year, we get to know these characters pretty well, each bringing his or her own dynamic to the group: Sal and Meghan Lodato (played by Ryan Metcalf and Brianne Berkson) are trying to have kids, though Sal deals with anger management and Meghan wonders if he’s ready; Terry (Arjun Gupta) just got caught with a DUI on New Year’s Eve and is working to pay off the legal fees; Nate McLaughlin (Joe Murphy) helps his uncle at the bar while trying out online dating; and Eric Richter (Chris Viemeister) is dealing with a breakup with his first girlfriend, Lina (Natalie Knepp).
Though the dialogue is a bit dense and backstory-laden, there are many natural interactions, and the characters feel comfortable with each other. You will spend the film getting to know a large group of people, a feat that usually can’t be accomplished in an hour and a half. And perhaps that is because the film is, first and foremost, a character film. The only point of the film is watching these young adults wander through and deal with life. There’s no harebrained plot line trying to wrap things up too nicely at the end—just a year in the life of some friends.
“Bridge and Tunnel” will be playing at the Midtown Cinema as a part of the Harrisburg-Hershey Film Festival, which plans to showcase documentary, short and feature-length films created by local, national and international filmmakers over the course of three days (Sept. 11 to 13). The films on the program run the gamut, covering diverse topics such as hometown rock bands, superhero sidekicks, suicide, Mr. Rogers, shut-ins and the meaning of life.
The film festival strives to add to the growing arts community of Harrisburg. Screening just two weeks prior to VIDJAM—a filmmaking festival inspired by the 48-Hour Film Project—perhaps this festival will usher in a new wave of filmmaking for our beloved city. You never know… maybe soon there’ll be a film about 20-somethings in Harrisburg.
Midtown Cinema
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
(Don’t forget to BYOZ – Bring Your Own Zeroday!)
Midnight Matinees
“Boogie Nights”
Saturday, Sept. 5, 11:55pm
Harrisburg-Hershey Film Festival
Sept. 11-13
Down in Front!
“The Apple”
Friday, Sept. 11, 9:30pm
Classic Film Series
“2001: A Space Odyssey”
Sunday, Sept. 13, 6pm
3rd in the Burg $3 Movie
“The Big Lebowski”
Friday, Sept. 18, 9:30pm
Faulkner Honda Family Film Series
“Free Willy”
Saturday, Sept. 19, 12pm
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2pm
Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)
“Anonymous People”
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6pm
Sing Along!
“Grease” Sing-along
Saturday, Sept. 26, 7pm
Digital Theatre Series
“Othello”
Sunday, Sept. 27, 4pm
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 7pm
Manhattan Short Film Festival
Sept. 27 & 29
VIDJAM 48-Hour Film Festival
Meeting on Friday, Sept. 28, 5pm
Screening on Thursday, Oct. 1, 7pm
