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INTRODUCTION TO THE NANA PROJECT
The Nana Project (2024) is a mockumentary comedy. Directed by Robin Givens, this was the screenwriting debut of Eric Ulloa, with contributions from producers Carl Moellenberg and Anthony Del Negro.
It is set at Timeless Acres Retirement Home, where the documentary crew targets one of the most intriguing residents the feisty, sharp-witted chess master Helen “Nana” Lewis, played by Mercedes Ruehl.
The cast includes Nicky Whelan, Morgan Fairchild, Tony Todd, and Charlene Tilton, among many others.
Following its world premiere as the opening night feature of the SOHO International Film Festival on September 14, 2023, The Nana Project will be released on VOD, Blu-ray, and DVD on September 10, 2024, from Gravitas Ventures. The Nana Project runs for 90 minutes.
WHAT IS THE NANA PROJECT ABOUT? PLOT/SYNOPSIS
Nana is the iron-fisted competitive head of her family who intends to win the chess state tournament. Whatever it would take to make this happen, she would do, which was surprising for someone of her advanced age.
And to see that an elderly person can stay this sharp and compete at such a high level, it’s just amazing. But winning isn’t Nana’s only goal; secretly, she hopes the journey can bring her two grandsons, who haven’t spoken to one another in years, back together.
She involves them both and is constantly asking for their assistance in getting it together. While traveling to different chess matches together, the brothers reunite and have fun on their road trips.
Although Nana ultimately does not win the tournament, the real triumph lies in the bond they have reconstructed. It is a heartwarming, amusing tale of family, love, and second chances.
THE NANA PROJECT OFFICIAL TRAILER
MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE NANA PROJECT
The Nana Project is a film that piqued my interest, apparently due to its uncommon premise: an older woman competing in a chess tournament with her two grandsons’ support.
On paper, it seemed like the kind of warm, family-oriented story that would offer a bit of everything, from funny moments to heartwarming and emotional ones. However, when I finally watched the movie, I couldn’t help but feel somewhat disappointed.
I find the idea of an elderly gentleman in this case, Helen “Nana” Lewis played by Mercedes Ruehl-at the center of a chess competition, intriguing.
The setup seemed to have been more than enough to merit countless comedic and heartwarming situations, mainly where the strained relationship between her two grandsons, Andrew and Cody, comes into play.
Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Rather than develop the richness of this main plot, however, the film tangles itself in side stories and offbeat nursing home antics that are divorced from the movie’s main storyline.
Theoretically, the mockumentary format should have somewhat worked in adding an extra coat of humor, but here, it just feels a little more distracting. While the film tried to steer a fine balance between quirky humor and depth of emotion, it lost direction altogether. The heart ofstoryy-the family road trip and the chess tournament only arrived after what felt like an eternity; by then, it moved too fast and was underdeveloped.
THE NANA PROJECT (2024) FILM REVIEW
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
But in terms of the cast, I had the highest hopes due to some serious talent. Mercedes Ruehl is especially strong as Nana, who is determinedly loveable and thus easy to root for. However, material-wise, her character isn’t allowed to shine at all.
Whereas Ruehl makes a gallant effort to encircle Nana within the stereotype of a pleasant yet punchy individual, the movie fails to explain her motives or dig deep into her background.
As the two grandsons, Andrew, portrayed by Nolan Gould, and Cody, played by Will Peltz, bring a little heat between them to the screen as brothers. Unfortunately, their dynamic feels underdeveloped.
The tension between them is meant to be one of those plot pushers, but the eventual reconciliation feels quite rushed. Further development of their relationship could have added some much-needed emotional weight to the story.
Tony Todd, a familiar face from ’80s horror films, plays a minor but memorable role as a lecherous resident of the nursing home. His moments are meant to add comic relief, and while they are funny at the moment, they don’t leave a lasting impression.
I expected more from a seasoned actor like Todd, but his role was too brief and shallow to make an impact.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Visually, The Nana Project does not stand out. The mockumentary style, considering it involves interviews and the character talking directly into the camera, has been felt aplenty and can get way too distracting at some point.
Though at times funny, it breaks the flow of the narrative at most points in the story, making full investment in the characters and their journey impossible.
The setting of the nursing home has quirky appeal, but the cinematography is nothing to write home about and doesn’t add much to the story. One would have surely imagined that the scenes at the chess tournament could have been envisioned with a lot more dynamism.
Chess, after all, can be such a dramatic game in movies. However, these scenes fell flat and did not share much of the excitement one would expect from high-order competition.
WRITE STYLE AND STORY
Where The Nana Project has the most problems with the writing. The plot had some promise, but it takes far too long to get into the meat of the film chess tournament and the family road trip. Instead, the first half of the movie is filled with shenanigans at the nursing home and side characters with minimal additions to the main storyline.
The film attempts to balance humor and poignancy, but the feel is off. The mockumentary style does allow for some neat one-liners and offbeat observations, yet it also holds an audience at bay as far as characters are concerned. All that breaking of the fourth wall serves to prevent full immersion in the story.
Then, when the road trip finally hits the road, it’s rushed, and by the time it gets to the chess tournament, there isn’t enough time left to explore it properly. The chess tournament that was fully expected to be the climax of the film gets downsized to a short, underwhelming sequence that does no justice to the film’s build-up.
THEMES
A few bigger themes- family reconciliation and the difficulties of aging – stand out in this film. Ultimately, The Nana Project is about bringing a fractured family back together with Nana serving as the bridge between her two estranged grandsons. The idea of using a chess tournament as a metaphor for the strategic moves necessary to mend family relationships is clever, but it’s not executed well enough to make an emotional impact.
It also deals with the issue of aging and the position of older persons in society. Nana’s determination to take part in a chess competition despite her age is an example to reckon with.
However, the film could have dug deeper into what it means to her and her journey as a person regarding the tournament. Instead, the concentration is more on the supporting characters’ antics, diluting the emotional depth of such a touching story.
CONCLUSION
The Nana Project is a heartwarming comedy of family, aging, and the pure delight of chess that just doesn’t work. The mockumentary style, while amusing at times, feels more like a gimmick than a storytelling method.
Too much time in the movie is spent on kooky side plots and not enough on the main storyline, which leads to a rushed and underwhelming third act.
While the cast does its best to elevate the material, the characters aren’t developed enough to make viewers invested in their journey. What should be the satisfying centerpiece of the film, the chess tournament, feels like it’s an afterthought.
Ultimately, The Nana Project is a movie filled with promise that never quite gets its act together.
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