To many college scholars, the blurry, in-between space of having spent their summer after graduation signals the time to say goodbye to the old and hello to unfamiliar new realities, and unlike the college transition from high school to college, this one is similar to the bike riding experience where you take the training wheels off. There are no more built-in supports no more communal housing, prescheduled calendars, or the ability to move, almost always, with a crowd of your peers instead, you’re left with an often overwhelming sense of your autonomy.
And yet Annie meets some great characters. On one such slowly winding summer night out at a bar, she meets Tyler and Danny, a romantic duo. Tyler Dyer who is from Andrew C charge’s Fargo is quite reserved and to my surprise looks at me the way Annie looks at her and, like Annie provides more than she receives. At the same time Danny Ramirez, the quieter half of the dynamic from Top Gun Maverick is more than happy to watch the attempted romance. This is all the more interesting because he is so soft-spoken. So, all in all better than a family dinner after a long day of work.
And with this young writer literally splitting the shifts between two cities it gives you a great summer of love setting that she is at turning the outlines of this work in tonight, untangling them during the summer months, redoing them all through these long notes she remains writing through the summer all while switching between two cities. And the best part is, this is not a fantasy summer romance, it’s a story that the writers have poured their hearts and souls into, giving it the unique romantic touch that only summer lovers to share.
Like so many things in relationship drama, the micro-dynamics between Annie, Tyler, and Danny are complicated. Tyler and Danny work at a bar together but there seems to exist a major dependency, however, Annie is confused about their affairs.
Spending her summer nights surrounded by Tyler, Danny and their friendzone turned lovers circle at after-work parties and chilled-out poetry readings at cozy bars Tyler engrossed her to the best. Annie fleetingly, but effectively avoids Jason’s calls (Annie’s college friend), as well as her dad’s. Spending time with Tyler takes an emotional toll on Annie. Nonetheless, it gives her a chance to erase parts of her failing life indefinitely. What Annie needs to be careful about is deciding the right time to make such a deep swap, as, without a thought, characters in her life are bound to chase her.
On the other hand, “Chestnut” creates a brilliant atmosphere around Annie while also coalescing the neon bar signs with the bright daylight of the morning after to present a heartfelt experience for the viewers through the use of character emotions. It can also be noted that the camerawork of the film fits the theme perfectly since it does not constrain movements and avoids being in the way of capturing the intricate and complex dance of emotional expressions that are often felt but not said. The impression that describes us beautifully is when the characters move slowly during sleep as if alcohol were present, taking in the location from beneath tired eyelids.
There’s this sexual tension mixed with a love triangle that is easy to comprehend but is also very vague in terms of definitions and lines. It is caused by a combination of long nights out along with the unwillingness to be emotionally transparent, which is a tactic often used against us by our youngest and most vulnerable selves. Tyler’s affection is what Annie wants the most, but they seem to be possessed too easily and too fast with little to no truth left in his wake after every encounter. Her energetic and spontaneous nature makes her easily fall in love with Tyler; while at first sight, Danny becomes the metaphor for the foundation, given that he discusses matters outside the present. What Annie needs to do in this case is not to weigh Tyler and Danny against each other but to accept that each of them will ultimately make her feel empty in their own different ways.
Terse and direct, “Chestnut” is a gentle ode to youth that encapsulates the uncertainties of hostilities upon entering a new shape of life. All effects are depicted through the most delicate narrative material possible almost imperceptible movements, a flicker of the eye, or a faint exhale, obscured only occasionally by long belated conflict, rage, or deep sadness. It is a film that bears some resemblance, for better or for worse, to a generic coming-of-age story, and it doesn’t really embrace or even aspire to stand out. What it presents instead is a deeply human portrayal of the inner worlds with all their beautiful quirks of the self-important rituals of early adulthood that engross the moment.
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