Holler

An impressive debut, Holler follows siblings Ruth (Jessica Barden) and Blaze (Gus Halper) as they attempt to make some quick money, for Ruth’s college education, by working alongside a crew of rough-and-tumble scrap-metal thieves. First-time filmmaker Nicole Riegel delivers a low-key yet mostly engrossing character study that certainly doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its hero’s hardscrabble existence, and it’s clear, certainly, that the picture’s compelling atmosphere is perpetuated and heightened by star Barden’s consistently spellbinding work as the thoroughly sympathetic central character – with the performer’s solid efforts here matched by a strong assortment of impressive periphery players (including Becky Ann Baker and Pamela Adlon). And while the spare narrative admittedly takes a few overly familiar turns, Holler‘s intensely authentic sensibilities prove effective at smoothing over its few missteps and it’s worth noting, too, that the mostly bleak vibe is occasionally interrupted by welcome bursts of levity (eg Ruth enjoys an outing to a roller rink) – with the end result a better-than-average kitchen-sink drama that surely portends the arrival of a promising new talent in Riegel.

*** out of ****