A Jewish couple in New York considers ending their relationship -- yes, we're in Woody Allen territory here. In "Breaking Upwards", Zoe and Daryl (played by real-life couple Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein) have grown a little comfortable with each other - bored, even - after four years together. They decide to have a few "days off" each week, and each tries to figure out if what they want can be found with the other.
Smartly written, acted, and directed, "Breaking Upwards" is definitely the kind of movie that shows you don't need a budget to make an entertaining, fully realized movie. (It helps, as many filmmakers have previously discovered, to have the great Andrea Martin in a supporting role.) "Breaking Upwards" was written by Peter Duchan and Lister-Jones and Wein, and directed by Wein, and all are talents to watch.
"Breaking Upwards" is part of CIFF's American Indie series, and it's shaping up to be a terrific fest for American Indie movies. (I especially liked "Mississippi Damned", coming up later in the week.) Check the CIFF website for upcoming movies in the series.
