Chestnut is a beautifully poetic coming-of-age tale that champions those under-rated periods in our lives where we are in-between jobs, or between education and our first proper job. Those eternal times when we mourn the loss of our previous life and are slightly anxious about our future life. We have time on our hands and this often leads to over-analysis – feeling pain, love, lust, and fear. These spells in hindsight are important times to regroup, relax, and recalibrate ourselves for the next stage of our lives. Time for growth.
Chestnut follows aspiring writer/poet Annie (the excellent Natalia Dyer from Stranger Things) as she whiles away an endless summer in her college town of Philadelphia. Nearly all of her other friends have left town and she’s largely left to her own devices for a few months before she starts her first proper job in LA in the Fall. She’s quiet and shy and keeps herself to herself. One night, whilst having a drink alone in a bar, she meets the sexy, outgoing, charismatic Tyler (Rachel Keller – Fargo, Legion, Tokyo Vice). The two get on well and start hanging out together. Tyler introduces Annie to her group of friends which includes the very handsome Danny (Danny Ramirez – Top Gun: Maverick, The Gifted, Captain America – Brave New World). The group ran around together all summer, drifting between bars, clubs, and parks, drinking, smoking weed, and taking other drugs. Annie is having a great time and is considering delaying her move to LA. She and Tyler have a mutual attraction and share gentle kisses and hugs from time to time but Annie can’t work out Tyler’s relationship with Danny. Is he her co-worker, best friend, or lover? There is also a frisson of sexual chemistry between Annie and Danny. Tyler and Danny are far more worldly-wise than rather innocent Annie, but they play their cards very close to their chests, leaving Annie confused and unsure of where she stands. How is this all going to play out?
Writer and director Jac Cron is an indie filmmaker who focuses on the honest portrayal of human emotions, and the unique connections we have with one another. Chestnut continues in this intimate vein. Great casting, cool art direction, and Matt Clegg’s beautiful cinematography all effortlessly gel together with an excellent soundtrack in this very special, authentic film about twenty-something self-discovery. This is a subtle, gently confident film that doesn’t need to resort to high drama or full-on sex scenes to make its point. The strong but subtle sexual chemistry bubbling between the characters keeps the tension high, plus we never know where the late-night shenanigans are going to end up. Highly recommended.
Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah
Labels: 2023, Chestnut, Danny Raminez, Jac Cron, Natalia Dyer, Rachel Keller, three way love affair
