Ham on Rye (2019)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

Ham on Rye (2019) – T. Taormina

Not your typical teen film, although the boys and girls here do contemplate their future (heterosexual) relationships. In fact, the whole first half of the film seems geared toward seeing the numerous characters pair off at an unusual ceremony at the local deli – which seems to turn into something akin to a school dance. The girls and boys share their trepidation and excitement with each other as the ceremony approaches (and they are dressed not unlike for a prom).  There is a 70s feeling to the first half – so much so that the “slow dance” scene brought me back to my own awkward tween/early teen days. Painful for me (but glorious for others?). And once the successful teens have paired off and left the film (presumably for adulthood/college/their future), we see what happens to those who remain. The second half is downbeat, no longer dreamlike, but full of lost souls, those who are stuck in their lonely suburban town (signified by the strip mall). Throughout it all, it isn’t exactly clear where director Tyler Taormina’s sympathies lie. Is he championing the heteronormative past where the beautiful and popular succeed ahead of others? Or is his heart with those who didn’t fit in? (I suspect it is the latter but he doesn’t offer them much hope). Like all good films, there is enough ambiguity here and rippling implications (Is this about those who move vs. those who stay? The rich vs. the poor?) to make it a satisfying watch, despite its low budget.