Waiting for the Light to Change is a slow moving drama that shows well the dynamic of the relationships among 20-something college students on a week-long seaside getaway. Midwest based, this film shows the interaction of 5 friends, (3 women and 2 males) as they take a break for a week in the Upper Thumb of Michigan.
This is the first feature for Writer/Director Linh Tran who shot the low budget film during COVID for $20,000 dollars. She co-wrote the script with Jewells Santos and Delia Van Praag as part of a graduate project while at De Paul University in Chicago. In our interview during the Chicago Critics Film Festival, Tran told us the story was semi-autobiographical. It won the Slamdance Jury Prize in 2022.
The relationship between two of the young women has taken a dramatic turn because of a simple yet impactful lifestyle change on the part of Amy (Jin Park). She looks and acts differently because of a dramatic weight loss. It has affected her confidence and emotions. She is struggling with being loyal to her best friend Kim (Joyce Ha) or going after Kim’s new boyfriend whom she is attracted to. That sets up the tension between them. The women are very distant at first, being very careful, almost like walking on eggs. It builds as they all relax, cooking, drinking, passing joints and reminiscing with their other friends. Then they finally talk to each other about what has changed in their relationship.
There is a cute scene showing 3 of the women as they lounge around in one of the bedrooms talking about who they like, past loves, present crushes, betrayals and more. It’s very honest stream of thought, only out loud as they reveal emotions, both seriously and with laughter. Sam Straley as Jay,(TV’s “Chicago PD, Chicago Med and Hulu’s The Dropout”), Sun Chi as Lin and Erik Barrientos as Alex round out the cast.
Tran has created a credible film about 20-somethings’ friendship, jealousy, and emotions taking stock as they come of age as adults. It can be fun, but also a tough rite of passage. Glad we’re not there anymore.
Freestyle Digital Media 1 hour 29 minutes. Not Rated.
