Jul. 30, 2021|United States|110 Min.|R
Genre: Drama;Family;Reality;Romance
Description: “Lorelei” is a 2020 American drama film, marking the feature debut of writer-director Sabrina Doyle. The movie stars Pablo Schreiber, Jena Malone, Amelia Borgerding, Parker Pascoe-Sheppard, and Chancellor Perry. It premiered at the Deauville American Film Festival on September 9, 2020, and was later released on July 30, 2021, by Vertical Entertainment.
The film was initially scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2020, but the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, it was showcased at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival as part of the festival’s 20th-anniversary celebrations. Throughout its festival run, “Lorelei” garnered several awards, including the Jury Prize at Deauville, Audience and Jury Awards at the International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg, and the Jordan Ressler First Feature Award at the Miami International Film Festival.
The story revolves around former high school sweethearts reconnecting under tough socioeconomic conditions. Despite a somewhat shaky narrative, the film is anchored by the compelling performances of Schreiber and Malone, who breathe life into their characters. While the dialogue and plot dynamics occasionally feel clichéd, the emotional depth of the leads makes the movie engaging, even at its most awkward moments.
“Lorelei” blends elements of a male-driven drama with a romantic storyline, though it leans more heavily toward the former. This focus on Schreiber’s ex-convict character, struggling to rebuild his life in Oregon, suggests the filmmakers’ belief in his story’s greater resonance, even if it occasionally overshadows the richness of Malone’s role.
Cast director: Sabrina Doyle
Cast actor: Pablo Schreiber, Jena Malone, Chancellor Perry, Amelia Borgerding, Parker Pascoe-Sheppard, Gretchen Corbett, Quinn Liebling, Dana Millican, Sabina Friedman-Seitz
Original name: Lorelei