Anyone who has ever had the dubious pleasure of watching an overly arty and try-hard low budget independent film knows there are few worse experiences at the cinema. Too many young directors leave film school with the inherent belief that they have a unique vision but end up making jaded copies of the films they admire. Not so Eric Chaney, and whilst his debut feature Indigo Children has many flaws, it undoubtedly possesses a certain something.
Mark (Robert Olsen) is a lonely teen living in a small town. One day he catches a teenage girl (Isabelle McNally) watching him from afar. They strike up a bond, both brought together by their own personal loss. She explains to him that they are both Indigo Children – lonely souls who possess special abilities and awareness. However, they need to be near another ‘Indigo’. As the two teens slowly fall in love, they both wrestle with their place in the world.
Whilst it’s true that there are one too many glaring ‘Malick’ moments for its own good, Indigo Children is beautifully shot, with a lyrical and poetic quality which renders it both beguiling and charming. The dialogue is stilted and stumbling but feels natural and unforced, as does the charisma and connection between the two stars. Indigo Children is an interesting first feature from Chaney, with enough on show to bode well for the future.
