No Alternative

No Alternative is a 2018 coming-of-age drama directed by William Dickerson and based on his own novel of the same name. Set in the mid-1990s in suburban New York, the film follows the lives of two siblings, Thomas (Conor Proft) and Bridget (Michaela Cavazos), who are struggling to find their identities amidst a backdrop of grunge music, teenage rebellion, and the looming shadow of mental illness.

Thomas is a budding musician who idolizes Kurt Cobain and dreams of making it big with his band, The Statesmen. However, his passion for music is also a way for him to cope with the fact that his older sister Bridget is battling depression and suicidal thoughts. Bridget, on the other hand, is a gifted writer who is secretly submitting her dark and provocative poems to a local magazine under a pseudonym. Despite their different interests, both siblings share a deep bond that is tested when Bridget's mental health spirals out of control.

As the film unfolds, we get to see glimpses of their troubled family life. Their father, William (Harry Hamlin), is a strict and overbearing surgeon who has no empathy for his daughter's struggles and constantly belittles Thomas for his music ambitions. Their mother, Catherine (Kathryn Erbe), is more sympathetic towards Bridget but is also struggling to find her own voice in a family that values success and prestige above all else.

As Bridget's condition worsens, Thomas finds himself at a crossroads. On the one hand, he wants to pursue his music career and fulfill his dreams of becoming a rockstar. On the other hand, he feels compelled to put his dreams on hold and take care of his sister, who is rapidly deteriorating. Complicating matters is the arrival of a new girl in town, Jackie (Aria Shahghasemi), who is immediately drawn to Thomas and his music. While Thomas is initially smitten with Jackie, he soon realizes that she is not the easy escape he was hoping for, and that his problems won't just disappear.

No Alternative is a poignant and heartfelt drama that tackles some heavy topics with nuance and sensitivity. At its core, it is a film about growing up, facing adversity, and finding one's own voice in a world that can be cruel and unfair. The film does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the mid-90s, from the grunge music to the fashion and culture, without feeling like a nostalgia trip. Instead, it uses that setting as a backdrop to explore timeless themes of love, loss, and identity.

The performances are uniformly excellent, with Michaela Cavazos and Conor Proft delivering standout performances as the troubled siblings. Cavazos, in particular, is a revelation, perfectly capturing the complexity of a young woman struggling with mental illness, and imbuing her character with sensitivity and depth. Harry Hamlin also shines as the stern patriarch, bringing a sense of urgency and intensity to his scenes.

Overall, No Alternative is a powerful and moving film that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to find their place in the world. Its themes of creativity, mental health, and family dynamics are universal, and its message of hope and resilience is both timely and timeless.