Watch The Passing

The Passing is a 2011 independent drama film directed by John Harlacher. The film explores the relationship between two sisters, Julie and Lisa, and their complicated past. The movie navigates through the sisters' emotional struggles and the role their past plays in their present lives. Julie, played by Crystal Day, is the older sister who left their hometown to pursue a career in the city, leaving her younger sister Lisa, played by Elizabeth Ann Bennett, behind. After many years of being estranged, Julie returns home to visit her sister and their sick father, played by Jason Hamer.

The Passing tells a story about loss, regret, and forgiveness. Lisa, who never left the small town, is struggling to come to terms with her life and is resentful of Julie for leaving her behind. She is constantly trying to find ways to make Julie pay for leaving her and not being there for their father, who was left to Lisa's care.

The interaction between the sisters is tense and fraught with resentment, but as the film progresses, we see glimpses of an underlying love for each other. We learn that there are deep-seated reasons for Julie's departure, and the film gradually reveals their family's tragic history that has shaped their relationship.

The sisters must navigate their complicated feelings, past hurts, and the present situation of their father's illness. Despite, or perhaps because of the painful moments, they gradually begin to reconnect and grow beyond their past experiences.

The film's storytelling weaves between the present, where the sisters try to find common ground and the past, which sheds light on their relationship and on their father's health condition. We see flashbacks of their childhood, where we witness both sister's hardships and an adaptation of their father's perspective. These flashback scenes offer additional insight into their characters.

The Passing is a slow-paced film that concentrates on the emotional depth of the characters. The sisters depict real, honest characters, struggling through trauma and relationships. The ensemble cast delivers impressive performances that emotionally connect with the audience.

The movie's cinematography helps to create a somber and poignant tone, while the film's score accentuates the mood of the scenes, giving an extra depth of meaning to the characters' inner thoughts.

While The Passing's story is a heavy and intense one, it's not unnecessarily dark, and the story offers catharsis as it moves towards towards a resolution. The ending offers a note of hope and a realization that family relationships can be complicated, but they're worth fighting for in the end.

All in all, The Passing is a well-acted, emotionally investing film that tells the story of two sisters struggling with the pains of life and past decisions. It is sure to resonate with people who have complicated family situations or who are experiencing family strife. It's a great film for those wanting to explore the darker corners of human beings and to find hope and connection among them.