Watch Asleep in a Storm

Asleep in a Storm is a 2013 independent drama film centered around the life of Emily Bartlow's character, Kelsey. Kelsey is a withdrawn teenager with a troubled past, who has been living with her aunt in a small, rural town in upstate New York since the death of her parents. The movie follows Kelsey's journey as she struggles to come to terms with the loss of her parents, and also grapples with the difficulties of adolescence as she navigates complicated relationships with her aunt, her best friend, and her crush.

The movie opens with Kelsey sitting in a therapy session while her therapist attempts to help her work through her emotions surrounding her parents' death. The dialogue in this scene is sparse, which effectively communicates the depth of Kelsey's emotional pain. She is shown as a silent and stoic figure who has built an emotional wall around herself, making it difficult for those around her to connect with her on a personal level.

Asleep in a Storm features a cast of predominantly lesser-known actors, and their performances contribute to the raw, unpolished feel of the movie. Troy Beaudry plays Ryan, Kelsey's best friend who is constantly trying to cheer her up and help her overcome her sadness. Beaudry does an excellent job of portraying a character who is genuinely caring, but also struggling to understand Kelsey's complex emotions.

Ashley Brothers plays Josh, Kelsey's crush, who she starts to spend more time with as the movie progresses. Brothers plays Josh with an almost exaggerated level of giddiness, which is meant to mirror Kelsey's own growing excitement about their growing connection. Despite being a somewhat one-dimensional character, Brothers' portrayal of Josh is entertaining and helps to lighten the mood of the movie.

As Kelsey's relationship with Josh heats up, her aunt becomes increasingly irritated with her, upset that Kelsey is neglecting her responsibilities and acting out in reckless ways. Emily Bartlow does an outstanding job of portraying the tension between the two characters, and their back and forth interactions are some of the movie's strongest moments. Bartlow is almost always on screen and carries the movie with her intriguing and poignant performance.

In a movie that deals with such heavy topics as depression, loss, and trauma, Asleep in a Storm is to be commended for handling these topics with sensitivity and nuance. The filmmakers don't shy away from showing Kelsey's pain, but they also don't wallow in it unnecessarily. The movie never feels gratuitous or exploitative, and instead chooses to focus on Kelsey's journey towards acceptance and healing.

The pacing of the movie is steady and deliberate, which at times can make the movie feel slow. However, this pace also allows for the audience to fully absorb the emotional weight of each scene, and to become fully invested in Kelsey's story.

Perhaps one of the most notable elements of Asleep in a Storm is its beautiful, almost ethereal cinematography. The movie takes place in the midst of winter, and the snowy landscapes are captured in a way that makes them both haunting and breathtaking. The use of dim and subdued lighting further emphasizes the sense of isolation and melancholia that pervades the film.

One potential weakness of the movie is the lack of fully developed secondary characters. While Ryan and Josh serve important roles within the story, they don't receive as much screen time or attention as Kelsey. Additionally, Kelsey's aunt is a somewhat one-dimensional character who serves mainly as a source of conflict for Kelsey.

Overall, Asleep in a Storm is a proficient indie drama that handles its heavy subject matter with thoughtfulness and care. It's a well-acted, well-shot film that serves as an effective character study of a young woman coming to terms with the pain of loss and the complicated emotions of adolescence. While the pacing and somewhat underdeveloped secondary characters may be a turn off for some viewers, those who appreciate raw, emotionally-charged dramas are sure to find something to love in Asleep in a Storm.