Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Sweet Parents’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Sweet Parents’.
​
Each and every one of us, harbor some kind of magnificent dream for our future. One that is so powerful and defining that it outright gets us up in the morning and motivates us to get through our day, so that we can come home and work on pursuing it. Simply because we know deep down that our dream, will eventually lead us toward unprecedented happiness. The kind where we will spend our days filled with peace and contentment because we are finally doing something that we absolutely and utterly love, and the incredible power that our dreams hold over us, is why they are the subject of a great many stories.
​
Because there is something quite fulfilling about seeing people chase what we wish to chase and somehow, watching a fictional character obtain their goals and live happily ever after because they finally have everything they want out of life, inspires us in ways we never thought possible. But while these stories are indeed uplifting and wonderful, the only downside of dream-chasing in storytelling… is the sheer fact that these tales rarely show the difficult times that come with this pursuit. Because obtaining what we desire is never an easy task and it takes years of hard work and dedication to make a dent in our pursuit of them and the slow nature of this chase, can drive people mad or motivate them to walk away from what brings them joy. Or it can motivate some to do something quite drastic, and work toward shortcuts to get what they want, an act that can cause all kinds of harm, the kind that are explored in the fascinating and brilliant motion picture, Sweet Parents.

Now in this particular film we are introduced to a loving couple named Will and Gabby and they have come to New York City to chase some bold dreams. For Gabby is all about the wonder of sculpting and would love nothing more than to have her art on display and Will, well he wants to own his own restaurant and provide the good people of the Big Apple with incredible food that they simply cannot get enough of. But it doesn’t take long for this couple to realize that dreams don’t happen overnight and as the years roll on and their lives remain stagnant, they begin to wonder when their time is going to arrive. But an off the cuff suggestion from a mutual friend about using charm and vulnerability with older and lonely and single folks to help move them forward, changes their outlook on the future. Because now they could in fact have what they want in record time. But such an act… might cost them more than they ever imagined. 

---

So, the world brilliant was used to describe this movie a moment ago and that is a word that this reviewer stands by. Because this motion picture does a phenomenal job of encapsulating our fears and our worries when it comes to our dreams, since the prospect of failure terrifies us in private and leaves us wondering if we’re making the right choices and that’s exactly what we see on display here from Gabby and Will and that makes this story painfully relatable at times. Because we either have or will experience some of what this couple is going through in this tale and that makes for a powerful and heartbreaking experience. Because the quality character development in this story, also allows for the viewer to learn that these are two good people that we want to see succeed for all the right reasons. But alas, their fears and their eagerness, drive them to shortcuts and some unhealthy behaviors and that’s where the messages present in this film, come into play.
​
Because their missteps, teach the audience that cutting corners to achieve one’s dreams is a terrible idea. Because in doing so, the cheater doesn’t earn their endgame. Instead, they simply get there and skip the journey and in doing so… forget all the important lessons that failure and hard work teach us and that makes for a hollow pursuit when all is said and done. But what’s truly surprising about this film, is that it has far more to say about the journey toward our dreams. Such as how we need to utterly cherish those that support us along the way, especially if they’re someone we love. Because that means our partner believes in us and believes in our value and that’s rare to find, and that also means they should never be the victim of our ire. Because they’re not responsible for our missteps or failures, they’re just there to love us and cheer us on and having them at our side when we take the time to put in the work makes the celebration at the end the journey all the more worthwhile. 

In the end, this really is quite the cerebral and powerful film. Because capturing our struggles in a compelling and realistic manner is no easy task for a filmmaker, but Writer/Director David Bly pulls that particular feat off here, in a masterful fashion. Because this is a movie that sucks you in with compelling characters and dynamic and believable performances and most important of all, this is a movie that challenges the viewer as well. Because in many ways, it asks us to look in the mirror and ponder upon whether or not we are doing enough to chase our dreams. Or if we’re growing stagnant and disillusioned like our main characters, allowing for this movie to serve as a cautionary tale of sorts, one that will stay with you for quite some time after the credits have come to an end. Which makes this movie a must see for certain, since it truly captures the rawness of the human experience by taking an objective look at something, we all share in.

‘Sweet Parents’ is available now via Video On Demand.

---