September 12th, 2013 
Justin Proper 
Movie: Separation
Director: Greg White
Writer: Greg White
Studio: Birchmount Entertainment
It takes a lot for a movie to catch me off guard. After years of religiously watching nearly every film I could get my hands on, the endings began to unravel themselves before my eyes as soon as the end of the first act. When I began to watch Separation I did not really expect much, having not heard a thing about the movie beforehand and not finding much about it on the internet. Sure enough, the movie seemed predictable and bland. Then things took a turn and this film soon became one I had to watch again and again.
The plot seems normal enough. A husband and wife on the brink of divorce move to a new house with their daughter and the wife’s controlling mother to fix their marriage and get a fresh start. The problems at home escalate and there is also a serial killer on the loose in the nearby town. On top of all of that the wife is battling an inner demon in the form of hallucinations and she is starting to come unhinged. There is much more than meets the eye going on, however, and it might not all be in her head…
Separation is directed, shot, acted, and edited beautifully. This film is easily on par with thrillers that have come out of big studios with big budgets. The characters all come to life on screen and make you wonder what will happen to them as the story progresses. The cast may be relatively unknown but that does not stop them from acting their asses off. The supporting characters may be a little less believable than the main cast, but the stars do such a great job you will hardly notice.
In a true David Lynch-esque fashion the drama is broken up with unsettling and often jarring nightmarish flashes of horror. Contrasting shots of the peaceful surroundings mixed with the frantic and fast paced visions keep you alert and enthralled. Without a doubt, if you did not know this was an indie film beforehand you would think twice if someone told you it was a major release afterwards.
The best aspect of Separation is that it is one of those films that makes you want to watch it more than once. After first viewing your brain will try its best to process it, but it will crave another viewing. The plot twists and turns to keep you guessing and even when it is all said and done you will want to go back for another ride.
Separation is a great thriller that will keep you entertained. This micro-budget film has a solid cast, great visuals, and an unforgettable plot. It is perfect for a movie night at home and you can check it out now on VOD and iTunes. If you are still not convinced, you can watch the trailer below.
Score: A-
Review written by: Justin Proper
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