Watch Advance & Retreat

Advance & Retreat is a romantic drama film released in 2016, directed by Steven R. Monroe. The movie revolves around two former childhood friends, Naomi (Riley Voelkel) and Alex (Casey Deidrick) who reunite after 10 years in a friend's wedding party. They discover their old romantic feelings for each other have not diminished, and both are instantly drawn towards each other. They spend the weekend catching up and reminiscing, slowly rekindling the love they once shared.

Naomi is a writer from New York who is coming back home a decade after leaving in search of success. She is determined to make the best of the weekend and reconnect with her old friends, particularly with Alex, who she has never forgotten. Alex is a former soldier who has given up his previous life to live in the countryside as a carpenter. He is pleased to see Naomi again, but he has a secret that could put their future in jeopardy.

Through interaction with their old acquaintances and best friends, they attempt to rekindle their own friendship, but with time, the romantic tension between them becomes unbearable. The two discover that they have been harbouring feelings for each other for years, and with Naomi's recent heartbreak and Alex's secret, they realize that now may be the right time to make a move.

As the weekend progresses, they both become more comfortable with expressing their emotions and become closer. The love between Naomi and Alex grows stronger, but they realize their lives have taken different paths. Naomi has to choose between her career in New York City and the love she has found back home. Meanwhile, Alex is still feeling the after-effects of his time in the military and has struggled to keep control of his emotions.

The two continue to explore their feelings after the wedding ceremony when they escape to the countryside together. But despite their efforts to start a romantic relationship, they can't ignore the distance between them: Naomi wants to return to New York and pursue her career as a writer, while Alex is content with living in his small town and focusing on his carpentry.

The relationship between Naomi and Alex takes several twists and turns over the weekend, and as they learn more about each other, they realize their feelings might not be as simple as they appear. The story is built around the theme of love and hope, and how it can help bring people together, even as it threatens to tear them apart.

The film's lead actors, Riley Voelkel and Casey Deidrick, give excellent performances that are both convincing and heart-warming. Their on-screen chemistry helps bring to life the story of love and hope that writer James Stoteraux crafts. Brandon W. Jones, who played the role of a mutual friend of Naomi and Alex, also delivers an excellent performance, giving the film extra depth.

The film's director, Steven R. Monroe, expertly takes the audience through a journey of love, hope, and self-discovery that is both familiar and refreshing. As the film progresses, we witness how small gestures and moments in our lives can have a profound effect on who we become and who we love. The cinematography is beautiful, capturing the breathtaking scenery, adding an extra layer of magic to the story.

In conclusion, Advance & Retreat is a heart-warming romantic drama that explores the themes of love, hope, and self-discovery in a refreshing way. It's a film that will leave you feeling uplifted and hopeful as you explore the intricacies of the love between Naomi and Alex. The chemistry between the lead actors is evident, and their performances are on point. The film is a must-watch for anyone looking for a touching story of love, friendship and hope.

Advance & Retreat is a 2016 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.