The Austin Chronicle-Guide to SXSW 2000
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Sleepwalk

D: James Savoca; with Drea de Matteo, Ivan Martin.

35mm, 98 min.



Drea de Matteo, who stars in James Savoca's Sleepwalk, at the SXSW Film Opening Party, Friday, March 10

photograph by Mary Sledd

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.