Macon Review bundle: "Desires of the Heart" (**½), "Brothers Hypnotic" (****), "A Fragile Trust" (****½)

Val Lauren and Alicia Minshew star in "Desires of the Heart"

"Desires of the Heart"

Shot on location in Savannah and India, this is director James Kicklighter’s first feature length narrative. The story follows Kris Sharma (Val Lauren) as he navigates his identity in family and in love. His encounter with Madeline (Alicia Minshew) challenges what he thought he knew about himself and, ultimately, destiny. The screenplay, which Kicklighter describes as having been 'rewritten every day,' seems like it was; I’d like to think the performances would have been better should the actors been provided a less pliable script. While the photography only ever aids very genuine emotion, the sound editing and film length leave me excited—generously stated—to partake in Kicklighter’s next, new and improved venture.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

Reviews for "Brothers Hypnotic" and "A Fragile Trust" after the jump.

RIFF: "Lessons in Forgetting" (*1/2)

Maya Tideman and Uttara Baokar star in "Lessons in Forgetting"

"Lessons in Forgetting" was the first feature I was able to see upon arriving in Rome. The Indian production's inclusion into the festival should be noted more as evidence to RIFF's international nature and less for the film's quality. Author Anita Nair adapted the screenplay from her own book and grabs your attention pretty quickly. Unfortunately, a messy structure and shallow performances keep "Lessons in Forgetting" from feeling like anything more than an 80's made-for-television film.