Gotta (2015) – Review/Summary (with Spoilers)
No matter how old you get, change is difficult. However, when it is sprung up on you, is it wrong for you to get mad?
No matter how old you get, change is difficult. However, when it is sprung up on you, is it wrong for you to get mad?
| Director(s) | Sarah Veltmeyer |
| Screenplay By | Tom Bakker |
| Date Released | 8/13/2021 |
| Where Can You Watch? | Video On Demand |
| Genre(s) | Drama, Young Adult |
| Duration | 12 Minutes |
| Rating | NR |
| Noted Cast | |
| Leon | Jordy Coens |
| Ilona | Hanneke Scholten |
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Film Summary
Leon lives with his mother Ilona in an apartment tenement. Their life is simple, but they have each other. But as a neighbor transitions to something more, right under Leon’s nose, he feels the need to let his feelings known.
Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Reason(s) for Film Rating: There is a poster with a woman half-naked but, otherwise, there is nothing to get in a tizzy about.
Cast & Character Guide
Please Note: This is not an exhaustive list of every cast member.
Leon (Jordy Coens)
Leon is at the cusp of adulthood but without a job, has way too much time on his hands.
Ilona (Hanneke Scholten)
Single, and ready to mingle, Ilona has eyes for her neighbor but has been keeping their interactions subtle, until Leon isn’t around.
Review/ Commentary
Highlights
The Struggle To Accept Change
It isn’t 100% clear if Leon may have hoped his dad would get back with his mom, or if there is another issue. All that is clear is that with Leon not having much in the way of friends, what little stability and consistency he has is important to him. So a man coming into his life secretly, and just being sprung on him? That is not what Leon needs nor wants, and you get it.
After all, feeling like you don’t have control over your life is scary, and if you can exert some sort of power or influence on those who try to subvert your plans, you will make an effort. Granted, it might be for naught, but at least you can say you tried.
Overall
Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Gotta may feel like it is missing details about Leon’s father, to help fill in some blanks, but you are given enough to do so yourself. Thus giving you the portrait of a young man struggling to deal with his mother moving on, while he might still be holding out hope.
Does Gotta Have Series or Feature Film Potential?
Gotta definitely pushes the idea there is more to the story since we don’t know what went down with Leon’s father and that could be something interesting to explore.
