IN A SKY WITH NO ANGELS

Produced, Directed, Written, and Directed by Jason Santo

Sarah - Kathy Nestor
Paul - Jason Santo
Teresa - Sheri Carter

In the past, I've noted that Jason Santo writes stories that feel like they're heading to a predetermined point. Like a math equation, the numbers have to play out in the proper order before the final answer is revealed. That's not really a criticism so much as an observation. At his type of storytelling, he does a wonderful job, but by time the credits role, and the pieces have all fallen into place, the viewer is left somewhat empty. There's no surprises or twists to get the audience guessing, forcing them to become active participants in viewing process.

Structurally, IN A SKY WITH NO ANGELS is as far from the conventional Jason Santo film as one can get, and yet it still retains his trademark dramatic stylings. It feels like this time he approached the story with the final twist first and built the story by working backwards toward the beginning. As you watch the film and see the events progress in a proper linear fashion, they grow more unclear with each new twist until the final act when everything starts to come together. The best part is the twists never feel like easy excuses to wrap things up, they are a natural outgrowth of the story.

Paul has been on the lamb for months seeking out women her barely knew in high school. He's stolen valuable research material detailing what the human body sees at the point of death. Believing the government will be watching people directly tied to his past, Paul attempts to stay one step ahead of his pursuers by seeking out loose acquaintances from his high school past; people whom he believes the government won't be monitoring. If his plan succeeds, he'll be able to connect with someone and pass his secrets off to them. One such acquaintance is Sarah, a young woman recovering from a deep emotional lose.

During dinner with Sarah, Paul relates a series of lies in hopes of throwing off his pursuers who might be listening in. His time on the road has been lonely, so he invites Sarah back to his hotel where they have an emotional connection. Their pain and lies keep them apart for the majority of the picture, but then eventually are the very things which bring them together.

IN A SKY WITH NO ANGELS is a tale about loneliness and the barriers people create to cope - barriers which often blur the line between right and wrong. The question Santo raises is if something can ease our pain can it be all together bad even if it forces us to violate our moral code? Santo never provides a right or wrong answer, instead he allows the characters the chance to state their case so viewers can side with whomever they choose. It's a matter of the line between right and wrong being a field of grey, and the audience needs to find a comfortable place to stand.

By the time the climax is reached, viewers realize this is where Santo was meticulously heading all along, but the journey is so free-flowing that the arrival never seems forced. Santo leaves the events open for interpretation so the audience can take something with them when the movie ends. For me that's the hallmark of a worthwhile production - the need to discuss and rationalize. Entertainment is easily forgotten but that thing called art sticks around for ages.

Mindscape Pictures