Chestnut

Cron’s feature debut is indicative of a filmmaker with exciting potential and there are moments when Chestnut achieves some perfect indie vibes...but we’re left with the distinct feeling that these people aren’t as interesting or as complicated...

Compact in its runtime, “Chestnut” offers a softly lyrical glimpse of young life on the precipice of a new and uncertain future.

We’ve seen the storyline of “straight girl/maybe closeted girl emotionally terrorizes a queer woman” on-screen many times. But I appreciate how that was complicated here.

Natalia Dyer impresses, but Chestnut lacks personality and a distinct voice, which is unfortunate and frustrating because there's so much potential here to be something more.

Chestnut is likely destined to be an indie darling behind Natalia Dyer’s performance in the lead role. The film is phenomenally written, intimate, and maintains its authenticity throughout

“Director Jac Cron shows major filmmaking potential with her feature debut, though the underdeveloped screenplay will presumably irritate the casual moviegoer.”

Many of the problems are no doubt due to the script, which is tedious and rambling, but the performances do not help.

Like the summertime flirtations depicted, Cron’s film as a whole does feel like an authentic representation of youthful impulses suspended between infatuation, uncertainty, and evolving self-knowledge.

Dyer is great but the overall effect is that of a morning hangover haze without the nighttime fun that precedes it. Which is strange given that there are many bar scenes and interactions. I was left wanting so much more by the end.

Cron’s leaning into the queerness of the dynamic as well as the messiness of being Annie’s age are both smart decisions, keeping the audience invested even when the plot gets cliché or repetitive.