Watch Nor'Easter

Nor'easter is a gripping drama from 2012, directed by Andrew Brotzman and starring David Call, Richard Bekins, and Liam Aiken. The story follows the life of Aidan, a young man who is struggling to come to terms with the death of his father, a police officer who died in the line of duty. Aidan works in New York City as a funeral director and, as the movie begins, we see that his life has fallen into a rut of drinking and meaningless sex.

One night, after a particularly aimless night out, Aidan decides to head back to his hometown in upstate New York. There, he reunites with his mother and brother, but tensions quickly arise as long-buried family secrets start to surface. Aidan's brother, Dean, is resentful of Aidan's departure for the big city and the two men have never fully been able to reconcile. On top of that, Dean is a recovering addict who is struggling to stay clean, and the stress of Aidan's return threatens to send him spiraling.

Meanwhile, a Nor'easter is heading towards the small town and the impending storm only adds to the sense of unease and foreboding. As Aidan tries to navigate the complex relationships within his family, he also starts to uncover unsettling truths about his father's death. This sends him on a journey of self-discovery, as he grapples with the idea that the man he idolized may not have been as moral as he believed.

The performances in Nor'easter are fantastic, with David Call giving a particularly nuanced turn as the troubled Aidan. He manages to make the character both sympathetic and frustrating, as we see him make the same mistakes over and over again. Richard Bekins, playing Aidan's mother's new boyfriend, also shines, bringing a subtle complexity to his role as a man trying to navigate his way into a new family.

The cinematography is gorgeous, making great use of the snow-covered landscape and moody lighting to create a sense of claustrophobia and tension. The score is similarly effective, with haunting piano music adding to the emotional weight of the story.

While Nor'easter is a slow-burning drama that may not be for everyone, it rewards patience with an emotionally satisfying payoff. The themes of family, loss, and redemption are explored with a deft touch, never becoming heavy-handed or simplistic. Overall, Nor'easter is a beautiful and haunting film that leaves a lasting impression.