YEAST, 2008
Movie Reviews!

Search 1,000 of MOVIES CLICK and WATCH MOVIES ONLINE!

WATCH VIDEO MOVIE REVIEW:

TOP 100 MOVIES from 2008

See the LIST 2008 MOVIE BEST

See over 400 genres of films of 2008

MOVIES by ALPHABET

See over 10,000 plus films! Every movie from 2008

See over 200 plus films!

YEAST MOVIE YEAST, 2008
Movie Reviews

Directed by: Mary Bronstein

Cast: Mary Bronstein, Greta Gerwig, Ignacio Carballo, Amy Judd, Ben Safdie, Joshua Safdie, Sean Price Williams, David Sandholm

Review by Jarred Thomas

SYNOPSIS:

A maddeningly oblivious, tyrannical and emotionally stunted young woman tries her best to negotiate two toxic friendships.

CLICK HERE and watch TV SHOWS FOR FREE!

Take a look at what's new today!

REVIEW:

There are some people who simply don’t get it. They think everyone else has a problem or are the cause of problems when in fact it’s them. That’s the case with Yeast, an odd name that after watching appropriately fits the film. Mary Bronstein wrote, directed and starred in Yeast, a challenging portrait of a socially inept young woman who, perhaps without notice, sabotages all of the close relationships around her.

The film starts with Rachel (Mary Bronstein) aggressively waking up her roommate Alice (Ignacio Carballo), who nothing more than to sleep in. But Rachel has plans with her to go camping, and no matter how much Alice argues against going, Rachel will not hear no as an answer. Every scene in Yeast is improvised which does provide a more natural and realistic feel, but it’s also difficult to watch. Then again, that might be the point.

The cinematography is effective as well although at times it feels a little too close for comfort. Bronstein makes every moment intense, even if the scene calls for the characters to simply sit around doing nothing, the shots are designed to evoke an intense natural feel and look. It works, for better or worse.

The real breakout star here is Greta Gerwig who is a joy to watch. She plays the antithesis to Mary Bronstein’s character who is far more uptight, rigid, and really no fun. Gen (Gerwig) is carefree, taking life as it comes to her, open, and desperately trying to maintain whatever connection she has with Rachel, who just seems closed off. How these two are friends escapes me.

While heading out on a camping trip, Gen tries to start a conversation with Rachel. It’s simply conversation about what Rachel has been up to, but Rachel doesn’t comply. In fact, she argues against even talking about each other since, she contends, there’s nothing to talk about. Their difficult relationship reaches a boiling point after one too many comments from Rachel that causes Gen to lash, physically, in a funny and awkward attack. What’s great about that moment was how unapologetic Gen is after. The look on her face seems to say, “You had it coming.”

But that’s the nature of Rachel’s friendships. Even Alice assaults her when Rachel berates her for cleaning the dishes. It becomes so unbearable for not only the characters having to put up with her cankerous attitude, that it even becomes a task for the audience. Bronstein does a solid job at capturing every moment perfectly in a natural way, but it feels so real that you don’t really want to watch.

If this were happening outside in the real world and you happen to witness to it, at some point you’re going to walk away. It’s just too frustrating watch, listen to, and try to comprehend in the end. It’s really not worth it. Yeast is not a bad film, but it falters after the camping scene and Greta Gerwig disappears towards the end, and her character was the only likeable one among the bunch boisterous women. Not a bad idea, it has its moments, but Yeast is just too challenging, frustrating, and annoying to watch.