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Chronicle SXSW links:
MUSIC
FILM
INTERACTIVE

SXSW links:
films
conference
registration
Film Pass Information:
Film passes now on sale for $55 at Waterloo.
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Sleepwalk
D: James Savoca; with Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin.
35mm, 98 min.
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Drea de Matteo, who stars in James Savoca's Sleepwalk, at the SXSW Film Opening
Party, Friday, March 10
photograph by Mary Sledd
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Sleepwalk reaffirms the old adage that the best romances are those created in the
most unlikely of circumstances. Case in point: Ray (Ivan Martin), a mysterious drifter
who meets a struggling painter named Henrietta (Drea de Matteo) in an instance of
sheer happenstance -- while wandering aimlessly across her spacious loft's rooftop.
Once the two strangers exchange the standard introductory niceties -- such as "Who
the hell are you?" and "What are you doing on my roof?" -- the rest
is history, as Ray and Henry challenge one another with debates on life, love, employment,
and everything else we take for granted. This, of course, leads them straight into
each other's arms, and the evolution of their relationship is a joy to watch. Writer/director
James Savoca's film overcomes a theatrical presentation (most of the film is shot
within Henrietta's loft) with a pair of winning performances and a script that hits
all the right marks in its examination of the mutual attraction, both physical and
mental, that sparks a relationship. Martin and de Matteo bring a natural simplicity
to their performances that complement the subtle, observational nature of the piece,
all the while infusing their characters with a combustible energy. Funny, quirky,
honest, and heartfelt, Sleepwalk is the perfect date movie, one that will make you
ask your partner how on earth humans ever began to cohabitate in the first place.
-- Barry Johnson
Sleepwalk screens tonight at 10pm at the State Theater, 719 Congress.
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