Pinsky

Watch Pinsky

  • NR
  • 2017
  • 1 hr 13 min
  • 6.6  (43)

"Pinsky" is a 2017 independent comedy-drama film directed by Amanda Lundquist and written by Lundquist alongside star Rebecca Karpovsky, who plays the eponymous character Sophia Pinsky. The film explores the complex life of a young Russian-American woman as she navigates love, family, and her own sense of identity in the wake of personal tragedy.

Sophia Pinsky seems to have life figured out: she's smart, has an enviable academic background, and is in a committed relationship. However, her seemingly stable world starts to crack when her grandmother dies, and her steady relationship falls apart, leading her to confront a series of challenges that she wasn’t prepared to face.

Sent into a tailspin, Sophia returns to her family's home, only to be enveloped once more by the eccentricities of her Russian-Jewish family. The dynamics within the family are quirky and strained as each member deals with their grief in their own particular way. Sophia’s grandfather, a stern patriarch, remains firmly rooted in his old-world beliefs and maintains a commanding presence in the household, while her mother and aunt grapple with their own complex feelings and personal disappointments.

Forced back into the life she thought she had left behind, Sophia is confronted by the unresolved issues with her relatives and must contend with her place within the generational divide. As she struggles to break free from her family's expectations and the cultural norms that bind them all, Sophia finds herself without the support of the partner she once leaned on, leaving her to tread uncertain waters alone.

Additionally, Sophia’s return home means facing her religious upbringing which she has since become estranged from. The death of her grandmother raises questions about faith, tradition, and the role these elements should play in her contemporary life. The film takes a humorous yet thoughtful look at how a young woman reconciles her secular beliefs with a religious culture that has a profound impact on her family's identity.

Interwoven with these themes are Sophia's challenges regarding her love life. Her breakup sets her on a new path, introducing her to unexpected romantic prospects that lead her to question her sexuality. These new relationships offer a stark contrast to her previous, seemingly perfect one, and bring to light the complexities she faces in finding someone who understands her multifaceted identity and who can embrace both her independence and heritage.

Throughout the film, Sophia is portrayed as a character with sharp wit and a biting sense of humor, using comedy as her shield against the turmoil she experiences. Her interaction with childhood friend, Trevor, brought to life by Jacob Brandt, offers a glimpse into her less-guarded side. Trevor's role in Sophia's life suggests the potential of rediscovering friendship and support within one’s own community after experiencing loss and uncertainty.

Ara Woland plays Timofey, an enigmatic character intertwined within the folds of Sophia’s changing world. His presence contributes to the tension between Sophia’s personal desires and the life prescribed to her by tradition and expectation. The film's supporting cast is filled with a range of characters that enrich the narrative, creating a textured story about identity, belonging, and the complexities of human relationships.

"Pinsky" utilizes an intimate, character-driven approach to its storytelling, often employing sharp, fast-paced dialogue mixed with moments of introspection to highlight the internal struggle at the film's core. Lundquist's direction takes viewers on a journey through Sophia’s chaotic, emotional landscape, encapsulating the humor and heartbreak that accompany a person’s quest for self-actualization.

The movie takes place in a modern urban setting that compliments Sophia's feelings of isolation despite being surrounded by the familiar. This contrast is showcased through the careful use of cinematography that captures the claustrophobic family home, the sprawling cityscapes that represent possibility, and the personal spaces in which Sophia seeks solace and clarity.

"Pinsky" is a character-rich story filled with intergenerational conflicts, sexual discovery, and cultural clashes. It's a film that doesn't shy away from the messiness of life and embraces the absurdities that can arise from family dynamics. As Sophia navigates her way through the grief and chaos, she slowly starts to realize that the key to her happiness might just lie in embracing the very things she once sought to escape.

Pinsky is a 2017 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.

Pinsky
Description
Where to Watch Pinsky
Pinsky is available to watch free on The Roku Channel Free, Tubi TV and Vudu Free. It's also available to stream, download and buy on demand at Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Pinsky for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2017
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 13 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (43)