ITHACA (Middleburg Film Festival Middleburg Virginia USA 2015)

Ben Meyers’ rating—4.4|5.0 Starsìììì

Ithaca explores the occupation of telegram delivery through periods of war. While it seems to contain bits and pieces and whole yards of storyline from films like the 2002 We Were Soldiers, the 1943 The Human Comedy, and the 2011 Telegram Man, it is well enough written to deserve its own special watch. Sam Shepard’s acting is superbly natural and completely complimented by the acting skills of Hamish Linklater and Alex Neustaedter. Meg Ryan performs at her usual professional pace and it is a treat to see her son, Jack Quaid, playing in the movie with her. It seems that movies have a deeper emotional feel when family members team to depict story lines. An example is the 2010 The Way that teamed Emilio Estevez with his father, Martin Sheen.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Homer Macauley (Alex Neusteadter) gets a position at the telegraph office and finds the position requires delivery of telegrams informing Mothers and family members that their sons have died in World War 2.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Meg Ryan for her directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jason Cloth, Aaron L. Gilbert, Gary Goetzman, Tom Hanks, Robert Immerman, Steven R. Palmisano, Scott Setrakian, Alan Simpson, and Allan J. Stitt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Willie Grogan (Sam Shepard), Mr. Macauley (Tom Hanks), Mrs. Macauley (Meg Ryan), Marcus Macauley (Jack Quaid), Mary Arena (Molly Gordon), Tom Spangler (Hamish Linklater), Tobey George (Gabriel Basso), Home Macauley (Alex Neustaedter), and Corbett (Scott Shepherd).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It is worth watching. Although there is not a large storyline here, the acting is very good and the story is well portrayed.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers