Icily and cleverly shot, Modern Love follows young father John (Mark Constable), who returns to the coastal town of his youth (which appears to be populated exclusively by the mentally deranged) after the passing of his uncle/surrogate father. Though initially intended as a brief trip, John hangs around and soon begins to take on the characteristics of his intimidating uncle, much to the frustration of his wife (Victoria Hill) and young son (Will Traeger). Whether John is the subject of a ghostly possession or just a garden-variety mental breakdown is never made quite clear, and as the film unravels it becomes increasingly eerie.
Though not without its problems (it’s way too long, and the film’s obvious desire to unsettle occasionally tips over into unpleasantness), Modern Love is a bold mood piece by a filmmaker clearly marching to the beat of his own drum. The performances are uniformly excellent (Constable is stunning in a very difficult role), the tension nicely sustained, and the visuals striking. It may not be a popular film, but Modern Love showcases a lot of exciting talent.
Filmink 3/5
