Sometimes simplicity is best. Simplicity within storytelling can be incredibly invigorating when the tale, on the surface, looks generic while the subtext and themes unfold in a way that resonates with you. I believe Home, James was going for that simplicity. However, its potential for resonance comes up way too short while the film's ultimate triumph is making the city of Tulsa look surprisingly sexy.
Home, James examines the life of a brooding and struggling photographer named (yup, you guessed it) Home! (Just kidding) James! And young James' odd job is driving drunk people home while using their cars. This is where he meets Cooper, a heavy-drinking gal who becomes the lovely distraction from his problems.
On the surface, this story comes with the promise of being an intriguing character study, but early on, it seems confused as to what type of film it wants to be. One moment, it's a somber indie-drama, next, it tries to be a mainstream romantic comedy. This is fueled by James' best friends Mike (Rick Dacey) and Sam (Julie Gearheard). Their characters are supposed to carry the comic relief, but they don't due to the lack of wit that's written in the script or performed on screen.
Despite a pretty likable and capable cast, the dialogue is stunningly stale. It's written to have the look of modern young adults talking, but it lacks the amusing nuances that great dialogue should capture. Most of the time, I thought I was watching a tired teen soap. Ironically, I couldn't help but think of the film The Spectacular Now (which is not a tired teen soap). Both films deal with the emergence of an unlikely love story and the effects of alcoholism. And while Home, James isn't trying to be a knock-off of what that movie is, both films are trying to execute a compelling dramatic structure with a natural sense of humor that would make their films stand out. But unfortunately, The Spectacular Now was the only film to succeed in this area.
When a story intends to be minimalistic with its plot, it always comes down to the alternative dynamics of engrossing your audience. And usually, it starts with the characters. Here, the filmmakers intend to show us relatable, everyday people, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. The arcs and personalities of each character aren't strong enough to keep you invested in what they're going for. The same goes for the plot revelations of the story overall.
I was able to feel for a character like James rather than the character of James. And that's the difference between a story that takes us to a place but only scratches the surface and a story that actually goes inside the mind, body, and soul of a world with people we can't help but fall for.
