Watch Chasing the Light

Narrated from the point of view of the protagonist himself, Chasing the Light is a story about a young man named Jacob who is looking to find his place in the world. Jacob is Native American, and he has grown up in a small town in New Mexico where life is hard for him and his family. He is determined to escape the poverty and despair that surrounds him, and he sees film school as his way out.

The movie opens with Jacob's high school graduation, where his family and friends all gather to celebrate his accomplishments. Despite the festivities, there is a sense of sadness hanging over the family because they know that Jacob's dream of attending film school in California is financially out of reach. That all changes when Jacob's grandmother gives him her life savings and tells him to follow his dream. Jacob is grateful, but he feels a deep sense of responsibility to make the most of his grandmother's gift and to honor her faith in him.

Without a strong support system in New Mexico, Jacob heads to Los Angeles on his own. Once there, he quickly learns that life in the city is much different than he ever could have imagined. He is naive and trusting, and he is quickly swindled out of his money by a con artist who promises to get him a job in the film industry. It's a harsh lesson, but Jacob is resilient. He knows that he needs to work hard and make connections in order to succeed, and he sets out to do just that.

The rest of the movie is a montage of Jacob's experiences as he works various odd jobs during the day and attends film school at night. He struggles with self-doubt and loneliness, but he also meets people who become important mentors and friends. One of these people is Sarah, a fellow film student who becomes Jacob's love interest. Their relationship is sweet and tender, and it adds a touch of romance to the movie.

As Jacob's confidence grows, he starts to network with people in the film industry. He lands an internship with a respected filmmaker named Michael, and he's overjoyed to be working on a real movie set. The experience is intense and exhausting, but Jacob is grateful for the opportunity. His hard work pays off when Michael offers him a job as a production assistant on his next film. Jacob is thrilled, but he soon realizes that the job isn't as glamorous as he thought it would be. He's responsible for menial tasks that he feels are beneath him, and he struggles to balance his artistic vision with the demands of the job.

Ultimately, Chasing the Light is a movie about the pursuit of dreams. It's about the sacrifices that one must make in order to follow their passion, and it's about the rewards that come from perseverance and hard work. Jacob's journey is inspiring, and it's a reminder that no dream is too big if you have the drive to pursue it.

The acting in Chasing the Light is solid, particularly from the three main cast members. Jason Asenap delivers a believable and nuanced performance as Jacob, and he's able to convey a wide range of emotions with subtlety and depth. Patricia del Rio and Scott Hale also shine in their roles as Sarah and Michael, respectively. The movie's cinematography is also noteworthy, capturing the gritty beauty of Los Angeles with an unflinching eye.

Overall, Chasing the Light is a compelling and heartfelt movie that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to achieve their dreams. It's an excellent reminder that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck.

Chasing the Light is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 59 minutes.