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| Cynthia Nixon and Christopher Abbott |
The powerful new independent, low-budget drama "James White" is a compelling look at maturity, family relationships and struggling to find your way in life. Directed and written by Josh Mond in his directorial debut (he produced "Martha Marcy May Marlene"), it's a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story that's well-grounded by its superb performances. James White (stage actor Christopher Abbott of TV's "Girls" and Mond's "Martha Marcy May Marlene") is a troubled twenty-something trying to stay afloat in a frenzied New York City. He retreats further into a self-destructive, hedonistic lifestyle, but as his mother ("Sex and the City's" Cynthia Nixon) battles a serious illness James is forced to take control of his life. As the pressure on him mounts, James must find new reserves of strength or risk imploding completely. The well-acted, dark "James White" has a loose, informal visual style that takes you into the world of a New York City millenial who is forced to stop slacking and make a valuable contribution to society. Newcomer Abbott, who has acted mostly on stage, grounds the film well and captures James' fragility and immaturity perfectly, and Nixon adds some nice shades of instability as his mother who needs his help but is unsure she can completely rely on her son. Shot by acclaimed cinematographer Mátyás Erdély of the upcoming "Son of Saul" (excellent, and expanding in January to wide release), the film's jumpy camera work is sometimes a detraction, but it still helps capture of the film's better, more human elements. Once James transitions to more responsibility and his mother's all-consuming care, the film has some poignant moments. "James White" is a small, little-seen and satisfying film that deserves to be seen.
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