I wish everyone who hyped "Funny Ha Ha," or even saw it and liked it, would get a chance to see Aaron Katz's remarkable film "Dance Party, USA." Katz creates a film so emotionally resonant, so heartbreaking yet hopeful, so tender yet intense, so realistic yet ethereal that its mesmerizes the viewer and holds their attention rapt. Those who think young filmmakers only make dark and cynical films would be wise to see this piece. Those enamored with the low-budget, video intimacy of Andrew Bujalski should take a look here to see what gutsy independent filmmaking is really all about.

The film begins with Jessica (Anna Kavan) as she awakes from a party in a typically affluent suburban house. Amongst the quietness of sleeping teenage bodies, empty beer bottles and the impermanence of disposable plastic drinking cups, Jessica seems lost. In many ways we think this opening scene is echoing the final scene in Larry Clark's landmark film "Kids." Will "Dance Party, USA" begin where that film ended? It is a harrowing thought.

Eventually the real center of the film emerges as we begin to focus on Gus. This character is brought forth by one of the most impressive new actors to grace the screen in quite a while, Cole Pensinger. He is amazing. As Gus meets Jessica, we find two lost souls connecting in an aching manner that reflects the disjointedness and solitude of puberty. Pensinger's Gus may seem like a wide-eyed innocent at first glance but his frank, sexual, misogynistic discussions with his peers soon begin to negate this initial impression. It takes us much time to understand Gus and see just where "Dance Party USA" is taking us.

After slowly steeping us in impressions of Gus and his peer group, Katz and Pensinger drop a bomb on us with an admission Gus makes to Jessica in a quiet and intimate moment that they share. Pensinger is so captivating in this film and this scene is a perfect example of what makes him an actor to watch out for. Throughout the film he expresses as much with his eyes and face as he does with his silence and his dialogue. Pensive, reflective yet undoubtedly in the moment... Pensinger is able to bring forth a multitude of thoughts and emotions by just being in a scene. His moments with other young cast members offers us an insight into the confusion and angst of youth that is never petty nor cynical yet always raw and edgy.

Gus is an evolving, growing person trapped in the world of teen tomfoolery. His inability to connect with his young friends show us just how isolated he feels in his teenage skin. In moments of quiet desperation, Pensinger's Gus cannot even begin to verbalize his thoughts, feelings and emotions to his friends, male or female. His moment with Jessica is a true story he tells about himself but it is crammed full of his feelings and thoughts and fears and desperation in a way that is much more than just metaphor. Gus is becoming an adult, a man, but he is lost in a world without parents, without true peers, without any positive influences. The only thing on his friends' minds is partying, having sex, playing video games and watching TV. He's trapped like a disgruntled Peter Pan desperately trying to leave Neverland and his frustration in his isolation causes him not to act out or behave badly but rather to retreat within and hold in his feelings. The honesty of this character is palpable.

To find such emotional depth in a teenage character is not just rare, its practically unheard of. And the beauty and aching solemnity of Gus rest squarely on the shoulders of Pensinger who, again, is perhaps the most adept young actor I've seen since the turn of the century.

It doesn't hurt as well that Pensinger is extremely attractive. Not only does this make it easy to look at him for 70 minutes but also his charm and good looks are also massively important in making the character work. What makes Gus such an exceptional character is that he seems a typical "cool kid" teenager trying to become something more. If Gus were a nerd (like Bujalski), his transformation would mean nothing. It is because he is good looking, cool, and charming that Gus' desire to become something more than just your typical white collar kid is so utterly captivating. He's trying to have a soul yet he lives in a world where they eat kids with souls for breakfast.

The end of "Dance Party, USA" is as beautiful, subtle and surreal as its beginning. Katz is indeed a master storyteller and an filmmaker who is just as likely to make his point and tell his story with images as he is with words. This is what makes Pensinger such a perfect actor to play a role in a film by the writer/director. He is able to tell us so much with his expressive face that often words are not even necessary. Katz give his character Gus a soul and through Pensinger's expressive facade, we can see that soul in his eyes.

The ironically titled "Dance Party, USA" might very well be the best independent film that I will see all year. If you are somehow fortunate enough to have a chance to see it, do not hesitate. What your will be seeing is the future.

Or at least the hope of it.

Notes:

Also with Brendan McFadden, who also co-produced.

Filmed in Portland, Oregon.

The film originally had a soundtrack made up of 60's girl group songs (which helped it tie in with the title better) but this was eventually scrapped for the score by Keegan DeWitt (which was a bit too loud in the version I heard).

Viewed at SXSW in March of 2006 with the Katz and McFadden in attendance. Katz did a Q&A. Notes on meeting the filmmakers are on Day 1 and notes on the screening I attended are on the Day 3 page of the 2006 SXSW coverage.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: A-

Final Grade: A+