Cement Suitcase (NR)

For a man who sells fantasy – along with a case or two of local wine – it’s clear Franklin Roew, the protagonist of the independent film “Cement Suitcase,” hasn’t spent a lot of time thinking outside the box. The film, winner of the “Official Selection of the Tacoma Film Festival” is the first filmmaking attempt by Writer/Director J. Rick Castañeda, and involves such themes as change, stagnation, and discovering that part of yourself you thought you might have lost long ago. It’s tough to call “Cement Suitcase” a romantic comedy, or a full-fledged comedy at all for that matter. With heart, humor, and style, the film presents a look into Franklin’s mind as he looks for, and finds, the motivation for change.

“Cement Suitcase,” takes viewers on a tour of not just Franklin’s (Dwayne Bartholomew) life, but of splendid Yakima Valley, WA as well. Franklin is heralded as the best wine salesman in a struggling wine store called ‘The Airfield,’ where tourists gladly buy cases of the store’s wine thanks to his winning personality and the chance to be someone else for the afternoon. His co-workers, Jose (Jesus Sandoval) and Katie (Corrin Evans) don’t share his enthusiasm and just want him to treat them with respect and pull his own weight. A series of stressors – such as trying to rent his deceased mother’s house out to pay the overdue mortgage and an unfaithful girlfriend – add to his frustrations. However, a chance meeting with the “other guy,” as well as a new roommate (Nathan Sapsford), cause him to look inward for the first time and possibly remember what it’s like to be happy.

“Cement Suitcase” presents the locale for its happenings in good detail, from an opening sequence that shows stretches of highway, a plethora of wine stores and vineyards, dinosaur heads (the film adds an interesting spotlight on this defining characteristic), and desert badlands that are actually quite beautiful. Outsider’s views of Washington State don’t usually fall on these expectations. Castañeda paints a vision more akin to California; the result grounds the film in originality, to say the least, providing a unique experience to viewers.

The acting throughout “Cement Suitcase” is believable and effective. Bartholomew is an unlikely leading man, but somehow brings a sweetness and empathy for his character that moves the plot along while adding emotion to the mix. Watching his performance here, it’s not hard to glean his comic background, however, during the film’s more introspective bits – such as a breakdown at work or at the film’s bittersweet next to closing scene – he makes the audience believe Franklin’s plight with seeming ease.

Supporting acting from Shawn Parsons, who plays “other guy” Brad and Nathan Sapsford, who plays Franklin’s semi-obnoxious yet jovial roommate Jackford bring warmth to the film in unlikely places. Brad exists to show Franklin that not all people exist to irritate him, and that Franklin may not be the only victim in his girlfriend’s (Kristina Guerrero) infidelity. Jackford exists to show him that the place inside of him, where both ambition and change exist – is not long dead but possibly alive and well. The result comes off well. Parsons and Sapsford bring sweetness to the movie, and have terrific chemistry with Bartholomew. Even Evans, who plays Airfield’s owner’s daughter Katie comes off as believable and authentic with only a handful of interactions between her and Franklin. Of the cast, as Franklin’s girlfriend Charlene, only Guerrero’s scenes seemed a bit thin to me. I would have liked to see a little more fleshing out between her and Franklin, as during certain scenes their interactions seemed forced and awkward. But as the movie is about Franklin’s growth the oversight is nothing if not forgivable.

Independent films are really hard to compare to Hollywood blockbusters. That said, “Cement Suitcase” is both written and filmed rather well. The dialogue, while slightly off key during minimal interactions, is engaging and humorous (I laughed several times during this film, most notably during interactions between Franklin and the hysterical Jackford). The film has a good amount of character building, and as a result feels always authentic and never forced. “Cement Suitcase” is also filmed rather well; the cinematography by Jeffery Waldron, while conservative, is effective and welcome. There are no dizzying angles or handheld camera antics; the result is a movie that never feels nauseous or threatens to pull you out of the film.

“Cement Suitcase” is a good first film. While suffering from some wandering and underdeveloped roles, it has acting, heart, and a script to balance it. With less to work with, the film channels Hollywood lost-weekend catharsis films such as “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” or “Sideways.” It has humor along the way, gets introspective and serious when it needs to, and wraps up the proceedings in a believable, endearing way where a more ambitious film would have gone over the top. It’s clear that Castañeda has the ability to pen an engaging and heartfelt story, and will be interesting to see what his next project is. If indie comedies are your thing, “Cement Suitcase” is not likely to disappoint. However, even those more used to mainstream Hollywood will find something unexpectedly endearing in this film. 

-by Mark Ziobro