If you need something to fill that Daisy Jones & The Six-sized hole in your heart, The Brink Of is just the cure. Anchored by gorgeous, catchy tunes (“Sunny” will undoubtedly be stuck in your head for weeks after you watch, and you’re not even going to be mad about it — it’s that damn good), this is a pitch-perfect (pun intended) musical romance, not in small part thanks to the talent and chemistry of its two leads, Nicolette Norgaard and Tim Hoffman.
Norgaard takes on the role of Lena, a shy songwriter who comes out of her shell and literally finds her voice when James (played by Hoffman), a musician in a band that’s gaining some traction, overhears her performing and is immediately mesmerized by her skill. Alone, the two are excellent, but together, they’re pure magic. They have easy banter that’s juicily juxtaposed with tension, which makes the lighthearted and more serious moments equally enjoyable. Norgaard heartbreakingly depicts the tragedy of yearning after someone you can’t have, while Hoffman’s fear of true love and commitment makes him achingly relatable, too.
While love triangles can be a trope, the few in The Brink Of work due to the great supporting actors. Mina Tobias is a standout as Julia, who hilariously steals the scenes she’s in. Yael Tygiel is equally funny as a radio host who appears throughout the film to ask the duo prying questions — a clever narrative choice that both serves to ground the audience and offer it more insight into the characters.
The film smartly follows two parallel timelines — before their viral success starting back in high school and after they have had a falling out of sorts but want to try and make things work again, going on a writing retreat to make progress on their first album. Director Patrick Meaney seamlessly intertwines present-day with flashbacks to flesh these two complicated people and their even more complicated dynamic in a tight hour-and-a-half. His camerawork is particularly effective, using more chaotic handhelds during the past, while the present-day is more static and contained, reflecting where they are in their journeys.
The most impressive feat from both a directing and acting standpoint is a climactic party scene done in a long one-shot where Meaney expertly weaves the camera through hundreds of moving parts. It’d be impressive on any production, but on an indie like this? Meaney has truly done the impossible.
The whole movie sings, with everyone in front of and behind the camera working in perfect harmony to create something truly special. Just as the band in this film got their moment in the sunshine, one can only hope this cast and crew gets the same treatment — and that this will be far from the last song we hear from them.
Watch the trailer for The Brink Of here, and check out the film now on most VOD platforms.
— Taylor Gates