DONALD CRIED American Independents

Director/writer/star Kris Avedisian expertly deconstructs the contemporary obsession with “man-child” characters in mainstream and independent comedies in his feature debut. Since launching at SXSW and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s prestigious New Directors/New Films showcase, this darkly funny character study has earned Avedisian critical acclaim for his objective yet emotional dual portrait of former childhood best friends who reconnect decades later in their working-class Rhode Island neighborhood. Awkward humor and wacky hijinks ensue, but Avedisian curbs laughs at his characters’ expense by maintaining precise control over the film’s tense tone. As the friends rediscover their stifled aggression and teenaged rebelliousness, the filmmaker foreshadows the violence as well as the chuckles and uncomfortable hugs that will erupt among these men. — Gillian Horvat