Before Your Time
“Before Your Time” is a wonderful family film that explores family dynamics after the passing of a mother. They’re forced to figure out how to handle emotions of grief as a family and learn to move on and let go. Any family and anybody can relate to this film as it feels raw and puts this family in situations that feel all too familiar.
Dylan and his two siblings move back to the small town where his father and mother met after her passing. They stay with their dad’s hippie sister until they get things figured out. Dylan and one of his sisters organize her garage and come across an old beat up guitar. When Dylan takes it to go get fixed, it’s slowly revealed his parents were once the talk of the town with their musical talent; which is surprising to the children as their dad is a complete control freak and workaholic. The kids then find a bucket list that their parents wrote back in the day and they decide to try and finish it, but not without their dad’s disapproval.
What’s really fascinating about this movie is the fact it’s community-based. It had all volunteers from a local Utah county (Davis) work on set and help bring it to life. I absolutely love that idea as a model of the film. Having grown up in that exact county, I couldn’t help but smile at recognizing landmarks. What’s even more fascinating about this element is the community in the film was just as helpful as they are in real life. It adds to the believability of the story.
The idea of these kids trying to finish off an old bucket list written by their parents is really endearing. Having that as a main plot point in the film really helps us see the family get closer to each other with each thing they cross off. Each item on the list says a lot about the father as a character because it’s a side of him we get to witness through the experience of his kids. Every character in this film had a distinct personality and felt easy to connect to.
Also, the music really helped give the film a voice. Each song was originally written and produced for the film. The amount of effort it takes to add that element to a film is admirable. The songs worked in the film’s favor as it helped make it feel more professional rather than volunteer-based. In fact, when you watch this film, you wouldn’t be able to tell that it’s all from locals. It looked and felt that professional (which is awesome).
With a lot of unknown talent, I felt these actors and actresses can become something more in the near future. They have potential and the chemistry between them on screen felt natural. You can tell there was a connection between all of them. To me, that sells this notion of they are a family. They brought these character’s emotions to life and make the story even more riveting and heartfelt.
Check this film out, especially if you’re from Davis County in Utah. You’ll be moved and endeared. You’ll recognize buildings and location landmarks. You’ll recognize the culture. In a way, it’s nostalgic – which is a theme it sort of explores in the film. The cast and crew had a passion project and they brought it to life. It goes to show how passion is the one thing that artists all have in common and they can in return make something great.
