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Sometimes, a movie is so unexpected, heartfelt, and enjoyable that you can't help but wonder, " Where has this been hiding all this time?" Riddle of Fire is a coming-of-age Summer film that successfully fuses the fantastical with the natural, or "realistic" as some folks prefer. A film that is soaking in classical fantasy fair with magic and unusual quests while dealing with the madness of the modern world. Like the young protagonists, the film doesn't care how unrealistic its ideas are; they're having too much fun just going there!
Set in modern-day Wyoming, the story follows a trio of young friends enjoying their summer vacation and getting into all kinds of mischief, including "borrowing" a brand new game console to play together. Things get a little complicated when they learn that the TV has become password-protected, and the only one who knows the password is the mother of one of the boys, who is down with a terrible cold. They try to wheedle the mother for the password and come to a special agreement: if they can help her feel better by providing her with her favorite Blueberry Pie, she will give them the password to the TV. The trio set out on their quest to find the means of acquiring the unique Blueberry Pie, leading them on a journey filled with danger and mystery, making some new friends (including a young girl escaping her terrible family), and having unexpected developments that will put their resolve (and possibly their friendship) to the test.
The real selling point of this film is the young cast. Charlie Stover, Phoeve Ferro, Lorelei Olivia Mote, and Skyler Peters possess amazing chemistry and deliver incredible performances. At no point in the film did I feel like the kids didn't want to be there, nor did they refuse to put anything other than 100% effort into their characters! They also played off well with the adult cast members and vice versa. While I do have my favorites of the little performers, their outstanding professionalism as a unit cannot be understated!
Another highlight of the film is its visual style & cinematography. Captured on Kodak 16mm film (prominently mentioned in the opening credits), the movie feels like a time capsule of classic fantasy films from the 1970s, such as Jabberwocky and Pete's Dragon. The visuals also lend themselves well to the classic gritty independent vibe of the same era, bringing to mind indy classics like The French Connection and The Harder They Come. I don't mean to say that Riddle of Fire shares similar narrative or tone styles with either of those classics. However, the visuals harken to another fascinating time in cinema history when there was an incredible feeling of change in the air. Riddle of Fire captures that beautiful and classical aesthetic thanks to the talented eye of cinematographer Jake Mitchell.
Writer and director Weston Razooli makes his feature film debut with this gem, and I am already excited to see what he has in store for us next. The performances from the young cast suggest and showcase a level of patience and leadership that is often hard to find in young directors. With his script, he blends all the strange and contrasting elements together playfully and coherently. This person is very much in touch with his inner child.
Riddle of Fire is a must-watch! It is a fantastic, promising start for the rest of the year and a strong contender for my favorite film of 2024. Please do not miss or overlook this delightful labor of love.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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