SXSW Review: Skateland
Set in the 80s, Skateland is a coming-of-age drama in a small East Texas town. The lead characters deal in different ways with pivotal moments and decisions in their lives. Writer/director Anthony Burns and co-writers Brandon and Heath Freeman deliver a solid production through cinematography and editing that allows the ensemble cast to really shine in this film, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
The central story revolves around charismatic Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), who is needing to deal with life after high school but he doesn't have a plan -- he's content working as a manager at the local skating rink, Skateland, but it's closing its doors soon. Ritchie's childhood buddy Brent Burkham (Heath Freeman) moves back home after he's dropped from the motorcross racing circuit and begins working on an oil drilling site with his dad. Ritchie also spends a lot of time hanging out with Brent's sister Michelle (Ashley Greene), who is eager to take the next step in both life and their relationship. Ritchie doesn't seem to concerned about moving on with his life, which is frustrating to his younger sister Mary (Haley Ramm), who is eager to see her older brother make something of himself.
Things become complicated as Ritchie catches his mother in a nightclub with another man, and Burkham angers an ex-boyfriend of a girl he hooks up with. The ex is part of "The Four Horsemen" -- although there's only three of them -- who are renowned for creating chaos in the community through muscle car racing and showing up uninvited to parties to cause trouble.
The feminism movement was hitting an apex in 1983, and the change of women's roles is well-represented in the marriage between Ritchie's parents, David (Brett Cullen) and Debbie (Melinda McGraw). David believes his wife should be home to cook dinner for the family, but Debbie's exploring her own individuality and refuses to quit her job. Their children struggle as they watch their parents' marriage go down the drain.
Surprisingly the least development was that of central character Ritchie Wheeler, which makes it challenging for viewers to "invest" in him. Ritchie is living life on cruise control, and although there are references to his writing skills including an essay on Skateland, we are never really presented with enough substance to care much about this character. However, the development of the remainder of the cast including both lead and supporting roles more than make up for this flaw. Ashley Greene and the young Haley Ramm were quite impressive and genuine in their performances. Heath Freeman as Brent Burkham is superb, with just enough bad-boy quality -- he smokes and drives a muscle car -- to connect with the audience.
Although Skateland has been compared quite a bit to Dazed and Confused, the presentation of more serious issues like divorce and infidelity, as well as the heartbreak and tragedy, set it apart. The strong character development of the female roles is a highlight of Skateland, most notably the roles of Michelle Burkham, Mary Wheeler and Debbie Wheeler, who has outgrown her sexist husband. Debbie's desire to make a life for herself outside of the household struck a personal chord. I'd once commented to my mother that after she began working in the late 1970s, I missed coming home from school to find a spotless house and she would be sitting in her chair. She told me that she was bored and unhappy, and that working gave her more a sense of self-worth. With that in mind, I believe that Debbie Wheeler is a genuine representation of what many women in the early 80s were struggling within themselves and in their homes.
Influence from John Hughes's film Sixteen Candles and Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused are evident and successful in Skateland. I enjoyed the "family friendly" humor of this film. The geeky comical duo Vance (Kent Jude Bernard) and Lee (Cameron Pierce) is reminiscent of Anthony Michael Hall's sidekicks like John Cusack in Sixteen Candles, and provide some of the film's lighter moments. Actor Taylor Handley reportedly stated his inspiration for ladies' man Kenny Crawford was Matthew McConaughey's character in Dazed. However, the filmmakers establish their own identity in this era through the representation of the impact of historical elements including changing gender roles at home and in the workplace, as well as the end of a recession.
The costume and art design of Skateland as well as the soundtrack eases viewers' nostalgia for the Eighties, in contrast with the recently released Hot Tub Time Machine. Simple rituals such as hanging out at the skating rink or listening to vinyl albums with friends are interlaced effortlessly. My favorite line -- "an El Camino can't decide if it's a car or a truck!" -- helps to connect nostalgic viewers to the era. Thankfully, viewers aren't hit over the head with "Hey, it's the Eighties" and can focus on the central plot of growing up and moving on, which is the heart and soul of Skateland. I highly recommend catching this film when it hits the next film festival or a theater near you.
Austin connections: Freeman Films is an Austin-based film production founded by Skateland writer/executive producer Brandon Freeman, a graduate of UT Austin. Writer/director/producer Anthony Burns studied English and Journalism at Texas State University in nearby San Marcos. Writer/producer/actor Heath Freeman studied acting in UT Austin's BFA acting program. Director of Photography Peter Simonite is from Austin and has worked on other locally produced films including Secondhand Lions and A Scanner Darkly. Costume designer Cari Perkins made her film costume design debut in Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused.