“Scrap”

“Scrap” is a small-scale story that feels so personal and authentic, yet it’s still universal in a way that encourages viewers to draw parallels to their own lives. In her film, writer, director, and star Vivian Kerr draws on the very real human fear of not getting what you want out of life. It’s something to which everyone can relate, and this is a movie for people who actually don’t have it all figured out. In other words, most of us.

After getting laid off from her job, single mom Beth (Kerr) is doing everything she can to keep up appearances. She wants everyone to think she still lives a successful middle class lifestyle in Los Angeles, despite the fact that her home is now her car. Desperate to protect her daughter Birdy (Julianna Layne) from discovering the dire truth of their situation, Beth movies in with her older brother Ben (Anthony Rapp) and his wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla), who are dealing with their own fertility struggles. It’s a story of conflicted relationships, as everyone tries their hardest to support each other in the toughest of situations.

Beth is a highly relatable character, a woman who has a very specific idea of what she wants out of life. She has always had ambitious dreams of having a steady career at a successful corporation, a handsome and devoted husband, a nice car and a fancy home. Most of us have dream scenario plans of the way we hope our futures will go, but they are often flights of fantasy rather than something that’s grounded in reality. There’s something so comforting (and in a way, inspiring) about the way viewers are taken along on Beth’s journey of acknowledging, accepting, and eventually embracing her real world situation.

Rapp and Kerr have a believable onscreen chemistry as two estranged siblings who are doing their best to get along when each of their respective worlds are in turmoil. There’s a natural give and take between the actors that feels authentic, and an empathy that is heartfelt. The story is obviously based in truth, and Kerr and Rapp draw from life experience to create a compelling family drama.

The film eventually stumbles with an overabundance of filler material, with at least fifteen minutes that could be trimmed off the run time with little ill effect. Astute viewers will know where the story is eventually going, and Kerr takes a little too long to get there. Still, it’s cathartic to watch the characters finally look inside themselves and take a step towards making much-needed changes in their life trajectories.

“Scrap” is a story of disappointment and denial, but it’s also a tale of freeing yourself from pride. The world is pretty great at throwing curve balls when you least expect it, and this film is a reminder to let go of the life you always wanted so you can make room for the one you have.

By: Louisa Moore