Watch Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap is an independent drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Eric Schaeffer. It stars Alan King, Elizabeth Reaser, and Schaeffer himself. The movie, released in 2004, deals with the themes of love, loss, and redemption. It tells the story of three strangers who travel on the same train and end up sharing their life stories.

The opening scene shows a young man named David (Eric Schaeffer) boarding a train from New York to California. He has a backpack and a guitar with him, and he seems anxious and restless. As he is looking for his seat, he meets a middle-aged man named Henry (Alan King), who is traveling to San Diego to visit his daughter. Henry is friendly and talkative, and he strikes up a conversation with David. They discuss their reasons for traveling and their hopes for the future.

In a parallel storyline, we meet a young woman named Chloe (Elizabeth Reaser), who is in the midst of a life crisis. She has just broken up with her boyfriend and is unsure about her career and her future. She decides to take a train to visit her estranged father, who lives in Chicago. On the train, she meets a kind old lady (played by Jill Sobule) who gives her some advice and encouragement.

As the train journeys across the country, the three main characters share their personal stories and struggles. Henry talks about his wife who died of cancer and his regrets about things he didn't say to her. David reveals that he is a musician who is running away from his past and trying to find himself. Chloe talks about her relationship problems and her fears of being alone and unfulfilled.

The film is structured as a series of vignettes that intercut between the three storylines. We see the characters interacting with each other and with other passengers on the train. We also see flashbacks and dream sequences that reveal more about their pasts and their inner lives. The film's pace is slow and contemplative, allowing the audience to sink into the characters' emotions and thoughts.

One of the film's strengths is its ensemble cast. Alan King delivers a standout performance as Henry, imbuing his character with warmth, humor, and wisdom. Elizabeth Reaser is also excellent as Chloe, portraying her character's vulnerability and strength with subtlety and nuance. Eric Schaeffer is perhaps the weakest link in the cast, as his performance is sometimes wooden and self-conscious. However, his character's storyline is the most interesting, as it deals with themes of mortality and personal growth.

Another strength of the film is its cinematography. The train journey provides a visually interesting backdrop, with panoramic shots of the American landscape and intimate close-ups of the characters' faces. The film's color palette is muted, with shades of gray and blue dominating the visuals. This reflects the characters' emotional states, which are often melancholic and introspective.

Although Mind the Gap is a slow-burn drama that may not appeal to all audiences, it is a well-crafted and thoughtful film that explores some universal themes. It raises questions about the nature of love, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in life. The film's final act provides some closure and resolution for the characters, but it also leaves some questions unanswered. This allows the audience to continue pondering the film's themes long after the credits have rolled.

In conclusion, Mind the Gap is a small gem of a film that deserves more attention than it has received. It features strong performances, beautiful cinematography, and a poignant exploration of the human condition. If you're in the mood for a contemplative drama that will make you think and feel, this film is worth a watch.

Mind the Gap is a 2004 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 46.