What is family?
That’s the primary question at the heart of I’ll Be There.
The second question at the heart of this film is: what events tie a family together?
Sadly, families are often shaped by moments of loss and impending loss. But there are also times of joy and laughter… a game of basketball as a kid… racing through a hospital in a renegade wheelchair… getting drunk at an awkward family wedding.
I’ll Be There tackles all of these moments providing a snapshot of a family that is clearly a mess, but still deeply in love.
Written by Cindy McCreery (Haven, Honey Girls) and directed by Andrew Shea (Buzz, Portrait of Wally, The Corndog Man), both esteemed professors at the University of Texas, the film offers a poignant exploration of family, memory, and reconciliation.
I’ll Be There features Jasmine Batchelor (The Surrogate, Emperor of Ocean Park, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit) and Ryan Cooper (Rough Night, And Just Like That…, Bull), alongside Dorien Wilson (The Parkers), Victoria Kelleher (Why Women Kill), and Celestina Harris (Special Ops: Lioness).
The story focuses on a woman of color named Grace who was raised in a blended family. When she grew up, she moved to LA but returns home when she learns that her half-brother, AJ, has cancer. The actors in this movie are all superb, but Jasmine Batchelor (Grace) and Ryan Cooper (AJ) particularly stand out, having wonderful chemistry.
Batchelor is the anchor of the film, turning in an emotional and heartfelt performance as Grace. The characters that orbit around Grace are equally captivating and well-rounded. The charming Ryan Cooper as Grace’s brother AJ, exhibits both vulnerability and resilience. Dorien Wilson delivers a wonderful performance that brings depth and warmth to his character. His portrayal balances humor and sincerity, effectively capturing the complexities of family dynamics. Victoria Kelleher delivers a heartfelt and nuanced performance that adds significant depth to the film.
AJ’s diagnosis of cancer serves as a catalyst that forces the estranged family to confront the fragile threads that connect them. As the family grapples with the weight of AJ’s illness, they are compelled to confront unresolved tensions and past grievances that have kept them apart. This journey of reckoning not only challenges their individual perceptions of love and loyalty but also invites them to rediscover the strength found in vulnerability and shared experience.
I enjoyed the script for this film. The performances elevated it, but even on its own, I found the dialogue to be truly believable. “I’ll Be There” places a strong emphasis on the small moments shared between characters and features rich dialogue. The script’s effectiveness not only maintains your interest but also draws you into the lives of the characters, making you feel deeply invested in their journeys. The characters themselves were very believable. I enjoyed watching them joke around despite the tragedy that surrounds them. I loved the realistic portrayal of their emotional struggles.
I’ll Be There is one of those movies that washes over you like a warm blanket. So curl up, enjoy but be forewarned you will also need a box of kleenex. But that’s okay. Families are meant to laugh together and cry together.
And sometimes we need both.
-Madelyn, Filmmaker Mixer Correspondent