Watch The Cat and the Moon

The Cat and the Moon is a coming-of-age drama film that premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival. Written and directed by Alex Wolff, who also stars in the film, it follows the story of Nick, a 17-year-old boy who moves to New York City to live with Cal, a jazz musician and friend of Nick's deceased father. Nick's father was a famous poet who had taken his own life, leaving Nick to deal with his own emotional turmoil.

The film takes place over the course of a few weeks during the summer before Nick's senior year of high school. Nick is navigating the unfamiliar terrain of New York City while Cal is struggling to overcome his own demons, including drug addiction and the loss of his wife. The two form a unique bond as they try to help each other heal.

As Nick adjusts to his new surroundings, he meets a group of teenagers who take him under their wing. He quickly develops a crush on a girl named Eliza, played by Stefania LaVie Owen. The group spends their days exploring the city and getting into various hijinks, including breaking into a rooftop pool and trespassing in an empty apartment.

Throughout the film, Nick grapples with intense feelings of grief over his father's death. He has flashbacks of his father and is haunted by the idea that he may inherit the same mental illness that drove his father to suicide. His friendships with Cal and Eliza help him come to terms with his emotions and learn to live in the present moment.

The film is grounded in its themes of grief, addiction, and the complexity of human emotions. Each character is grappling with their own struggles and trying to find a way to move forward. Mike Epps plays a minor role as a supporting character who provides comic relief, but the main focus is on Nick, Cal, and Eliza.

The cinematography is stunning, with shots of New York City's skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge providing a beautiful backdrop for the story. The film also features a great soundtrack, with jazz music playing a central role in the narrative.

As a writer and director, Alex Wolff shows great promise. His ability to capture the complexities of human emotions is impressive, and his portrayal of Nick is both nuanced and relatable. Wolff's real-life brother, Alex, plays Nick's best friend, Devon, and the two have great chemistry on screen.

Overall, The Cat and the Moon is a heartfelt and emotional film that explores the complexities of grief, addiction, and coming-of-age. It is a promising debut for writer and director Alex Wolff, and features strong performances from its young cast. The film's themes will resonate with audiences of all ages, making it a must-see movie for anyone who has ever struggled with loss, addiction, or mental illness.

The Cat and the Moon is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 54 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 63.