What are dreams? Can they unlock secrets, or are they links to alternate realities that co-exist in a complex multiverse? What if it were possible to alter a reality, allowing for an outcome which could possibly benefit us all? These are the questions asked in writer/director Matt Gorman’s short film Hope Ryder.
A multi-pierced Aurora Grabill plays the title character Hope. Hope is at a stage in her life where an empty void needs to be filled. Living with her parents, low on funds, life takes a turn when Hope receives a strange message attached to the video box of her favorite movie at the library. It is an invitation to meet with the wealthiest man in town, Vest Keo (Fiore Leo).
At the meeting, held in the back of a local bar, Hope is enticed to participate in a project which allows Vest, and his technician Jeff Norri (Kris Salvi), to place Hope in the alternate reality multiverse of a “rebooted dream.” A rebooted dream is a memory from another reality, and the purpose of the project is to change “any reality we want” in order to save lives and affect positive change in the world. With little else going on in her life, Hope fully commits her everything into Vest’s project. It is a cause whose effect is both behind her, and beyond her.
The film offers the viewer intriguing questions of a psychological-metaphysical-existential nature, and makes one not only take stock of one’s dreams, yet also makes one wonder where Hope Ryder film begins, and where does it end? In essence, on paper the film is terrific. On film, however, it appears that the director has bit off more than he can chew.
In order for the viewer to truly buy-in to the concept that Matt Gorman and the cast are selling, a more resolute style of performance and direction is warranted. The actors perform broadly, yet rarely realistically. Matt Gorman’s direction comes off indecisive and unsettled in style, never fully committing to a strong vision nor point of view.
On the technical side, Christopher Di Nunzio’s attractive cinematography scores well but the movie’s sound mix lacks both balance, and clarity, with a location’s ambient sound battling it out with dubbed dialogue.
At best, Hope Ryder does offer an engaging puzzle of a story, inspiring the viewer to wonder where dreams take us, and why? Unfortunately, the film is undermined by technical issues, performance issues, and story problems. Too much of the dialogue spoken by Vest and Jeff doesn’t make sense, and the story’s leaps in logic and transition make it difficult for the viewer to follow along.
An alluring sense of mystery and wonder would have made all the difference, especially within the questions of dreams and reality. Instead, the film provides the viewer with underwhelming answers, and a final note far less poignant than it could have been. The potential was there with Hope Ryder, unfortunately because of the film’s execution, it rarely comes close to achieving it.
