Watch The Off Hours

The Off Hours is a 2011 independent film written and directed by Megan Griffiths, starring Amy Seimetz, Alice Bridgforth, and Tony Doupe. The film explores the lives of four individuals who work at a small-town diner in the Pacific Northwest. The film opens with Francine (Seimetz) finishing up her graveyard shift at the diner. As she drives home in the early hours of the morning, she listens to a local radio show featuring a doctor discussing the effects of sleep deprivation. Francine struggles with her insomnia and the lack of direction in her life, as she has recently broken up with her long-term boyfriend.

At the diner, Francine works with Jelena (Bridgforth), a young Ukrainian immigrant who has come to the United States to make a better life for herself and is struggling to adjust to the culture shock. The two strike up an unlikely friendship, and Francine takes Jelena under her wing, introducing her to the indie music scene and encouraging her to pursue her passion for photography.

There is also a regular customer at the diner, Bob (Doupe), a truck driver who comes in every night for his coffee and pie. Bob is a lonely and gruff man, who finds solace in the familiarity of the diner and its staff. He is also dealing with personal issues of his own, as he is estranged from his daughter and trying to make amends with her.

The fourth character is Corey (Ross Partridge), a man trapped in a loveless marriage and coming to the diner to cheat on his wife. Corey tries to strike up a relationship with Jelena, who is both intrigued and wary of his advances.

The Off Hours is a character-driven film that explores the lives of these individuals, all of whom are struggling to find their place in the world. The film is shot in a naturalistic style, using long takes and minimal camera movement to create a sense of intimacy with the characters. The Pacific Northwest setting is also used to great effect, with shots of misty forests and grey skies emphasizing the sense of isolation and melancholy that pervades the film.

The script is quiet and understated, with much of the character development occurring through small, subtle moments rather than through dialogue. The cast delivers powerful performances, with Seimetz and Bridgforth shining in particular. The relationship between Francine and Jelena is at the heart of the film, and the bond that develops between the two women is both touching and believable.

The Off Hours is an introspective and melancholic film that paints a vivid picture of small-town life and the struggles of ordinary people. It is a quiet gem of independent cinema that deserves to be seen by a wider audience.

The Off Hours is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.