An estranged father and son travel across Ireland as they set out to complete the final request from the most important woman in both of their lives. End of Sentence stars Logan Lerman as the ‘just out of jail’ Sean Fogle. In desperate need of travelling cross coast to a job waiting in California, Sean has no choice but to accept help from his father Frank (John Hawkes), with whom he has not spoken for years. Frank’s help comes with one caveat – Sean helps him carry out his mother’s last wishes to scatter her ashes across a lake in Ireland. The pair begin their journey at odds with one another, years of resentment and unspoken words rising to the surface. Then they encounter the mysterious Jewel (Sarah Bolger), who provides them with a lot more than either were intending on.
Logan Lerman and John Hawkes are wonderfully cast as father and son, though each works somewhat against their type. Hawkes has made his career playing criminal types, whereas Lerman is better known for playing the mild mannered good guy. Here we find Lerman as the ex-con trying to go straight, and Hawkes his overbearing but meek father. Seeing them switch roles and inhabit personas not typically seen from each other, spices things up a little. The characters of Sean and Frank are the archetypal odd couple, but this almost-reverse casting adds an extra layer to their dynamic. Their performances are great, slightly subdued, but nail the tension between the characters. There’s clear animosity on each side, but director Elgar Adalsteins keeps a tight leash on its unveiling. Attention is also paid to keep the story out of normal tropes, not falling into the trappings of the usual big revelations or heart-to-hearts. Discussions are had, but as with life, there are no easy fixes to be found here. It’s an interesting angle, and one that works favourably.
It’s not all doom and gloom, Michael Armbruster’s script also includes the occasional fleeting moment of humour. Be it a mishap with a deer, or an awkward self-defence lesson, comedic elements are woven through the fabric of the story, adding much needed depth and warmth. This is continued through the character of Jewel, she’s not exactly the effervescent comedy outlet, but does offer a different stance to the two monosyllabic men. She’s the vessel and conduit through which the men open up, and in doing so are able to face one on a more mature level. Although only a small part of the overall piece, Jewel is an impactful character, made more so by the stellar work of Bolger.
End of Sentence takes its time getting to where it needs to go, but never allows itself to get too stagnant. The fact that, in essence, End of Sentence is a road movie, helps keep the momentum pushing forwards, the ever changing scenery working to mask the standstill both men are at initially. Things start to loosen up when the twosome becomes a trio, Sarah Bolger’s Jewel infusing some much needed light and life. From here things shift up a gear and it falls into a steady rhythm that sees it through to the heartfelt conclusion. A story of love and loss, reconnection and estrangement, told against the beautiful backdrop of the wonder of Ireland’s countryside, End of Sentence is an overly familiar, but nonetheless poignant tale.
End of Sentence is on digital download 10th May from Blue Finch Film Releasing.
End of Sentence
Summary
There may be a few bumps along the way, but End of Sentence eventually arrives at its final destination with the audience’s interest intact.
