Watch Transatlantic Coffee

Transatlantic Coffee is a 2012 independent drama directed by Erik Peter Carlson. The film follows two characters, an elderly British author, Robert (Kevin Pinassi) and a young American musician, Virginia (Rae Olivier), who are brought together by their love of coffee and conversation. Their chance encounter at a coffee shop in California turns into a deep and nuanced conversation that delves into their personal histories, their relationships, and their aspirations. Guided by their shared passion for coffee and a desire to understand each other, the unlikely pair form a bond that transcends their differences in age, nationality, and background.

The film is structured around four conversations that take place over several months, starting in the summer and ending in the winter. In each conversation, Robert and Virginia revisit the coffee shop where they first met and engage in a deep and thoughtful dialogue that is framed as a series of flashbacks.

The first conversation is the longest and centers on Robert's past. The old man reveals that he is a retired author who never married, and he divulges the reasons for his solitary life—the death of his wife and unborn child during childbirth many years ago. As Robert talks about his past, Virginia empathetically listens and eventually opens up about her own troubles—she is a musician who has recently broken up with her boyfriend and is struggling to make ends meet in Los Angeles. Although Robert and Virginia have lived vastly different lives, their shared experience of loneliness and heartache creates an emotional connection between them.

In the second conversation, Robert gets to learn more about Virginia's music and the people she has met along the way. Virginia shares stories about the colorful characters in her life, and Robert reflects on his own missed opportunities for connection. Their conversation leads them to consider the ways that humans form bonds with others, and how those connections can shape the course of a person's life.

The third conversation marks a turning point in the film when Virginia reveals to Robert that she is pregnant. After some initial shock, Robert rises to the occasion, offering her words of encouragement and support. He shares his own experience of the joy that comes with having a child and encourages Virginia to have faith in herself and her abilities. This conversation takes on a nurturing tone, with Robert's paternalistic instincts kicking in.

The final conversation takes place in the winter, with Robert and Virginia discussing the ways in which their lives have changed since they first met. Virginia has given birth to a healthy baby girl and is now in a more stable place emotionally and financially. Robert, on the other hand, has had a health scare and is coming to terms with his own mortality. As they reflect on these significant events, they both realize the impact that their conversations have had on their lives.

Transatlantic Coffee is an intimate and introspective film that explores the power of human connection through two characters who may not have otherwise met. Both Kevin Pinassi and Rae Olivier give natural and nuanced performances, allowing the audience to become immersed in their conversations without feeling like they are watching a traditional movie. The film's minimalist approach and emphasis on dialogue may not be for everyone, but for those willing to immerse themselves in this quiet and contemplative world, it is a deeply rewarding experience. Erik Peter Carlson's direction is masterful, allowing the dialogue to take center stage and never getting in the way of the characters' emotional journeys.

While the film is primarily driven by dialogue, Carlson injects it with visual cues that punctuate the weight of the conversations. Whether it's the passing of the seasons, the sunlight in the coffee shop or the changing tones of light as evening comes on, Carlson uses these small but effective details to create a visually immersive experience.

There are no easy answers or neat resolutions in Transatlantic Coffee, as the film's focus remains squarely on the human experience. Robert and Virginia's conversations are intimate and revealing, but they are not meant to provide a definitive solution to life's problems. Rather, they serve as a reminder that through shared experiences, we can find common ground in moments when life's difficulties seem insurmountable.

Ultimately, Transatlantic Coffee is a beautifully crafted film that uses deft dialogue and restrained direction to create an intimate portrait of two people struggling to find meaning in their lives. It's a quiet film that rewards those willing to look past its minimalist approach and into the powerful bond that can be formed over a simple cup of coffee.

Transatlantic Coffee is a 2013 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.