At an inopportune moment, Mags Malloy’s younger brother, Merrit, unexpectedly arrives. In the opening scenes of “Leads“, Mags is on the brink of collapse. Approaching 50, she’s juggling single parenthood to a 7-year-old, attempting to keep afloat financially, coaching acting to college students, and squeezing in auditions; all while preparing for a self-taping session when Merrit’s knock disrupts the tranquil evening. Just like the spoiled cooler of once-fresh Alaska salmon he generously presents, Merrit’s well-meaning gestures tend to turn sour.
fundamentally, this movie offers a warm and uplifting experience. Amidst the series of conflicts and dramatic bursts crafted by Merritt, there are moments of profound personal growth. The film, anchored by two powerful lead performances, skillfully explores deep emotions without getting overly sentimental, while subtly commenting on the transactional nature of relationships within the Hollywood industry and its periphery, using some witty, understated observations.
Heather Kafka, who played Mags in Poyser’s 2010 dark comedy “Lovers of Hate”, has been overshadowed by a couple of ambitious figures in show business: her daughter’s TV-star ex and the director of “Sunspots”, the Sundance hit where she once shone. When one of her students admires the poster of that movie on display in Mags’ office, she recalls the past with a mix of nostalgia and pain, as memories of her former optimism resurface, along with unhealed wounds. In just a few days, she will be welcoming Taylor Betts, the director of “Sunspots”, to campus. Now a successful horror franchise creator, his connection to Mags, however distant, is also her unique asset among the tenured faculty.
At Texas State University, a place not entirely unlike reality (where Poyser teaches), Leads playfully satirizes theatrical jargon and routines. When Mags uses her “actor’s belongings” as a means of confrontation towards her brother – an unwelcome guest in her classroom – the 19-year-olds observing them are left speechless, staring in amazed silence at the sharp exchange.
Merritt’s impromptu arrival might be surprising, yet his turbulence is not. Kafka skillfully conveys Mags’ skepticism and unease towards Merritt from the start, as she subtly stiffens when faced with someone she views as an imminent risk. When she’s not simmering with resentment, she’s bluntly disregarding him. However, Merritt exhibits a remarkable tenacity. Justin Arnold, who was previously seen in Poyser’s Love & Air Sex, portrays Merritt perfectly, preserving the twang his sister abandoned during her acting career. Merritt is a nomadic storyteller whose past roles include firewatcher, rodeo clown, and bartender. He’s also an exuberant child who lives life at full throttle – this is evident in the extravagant breakfast he prepares for Mags and her daughter, Jo (Hazel Poyser). There’s a hint of despair in his joviality, but as shown in a pivotal scene, there’s also an unyielding determination not to succumb to life’s hardships.
After learning to play the guitar, Merritt has an innate talent for songwriting. However, when he learns about the substantial pay for a commercial role that Mags recently auditioned for, he considers giving acting a try. He boldly enrolls in her class. To heighten the competition between them, he socializes with some of her students outside of school – portrayed by Wade Smith, Evan Marsh, Kat Adams, Tyra Williams, Ethan Cruz, and Jordan Jarvis. Furthermore, Merritt manages to insert himself into a delicate situation between Mags and her top student, Alisha (subtly impactful performance by Aaliyah Tardio). This situation involves mutual attraction and seems somewhat exaggerated, but it serves to illustrate Mags’ emotional state.
As a gamer diving into a cinematic experience, I found Macon Blair (in Oppenheimer) masterfully painting a humble yet powerful image of Hollywood’s swagger, camouflaged in everyday scruffiness. When I crossed paths with Taylor at his hotel, he cleverly orchestrated a way to acknowledge my talent while maintaining a distance, and reinforcing his position – a virtual meeting with the leading lady from his Cursor movies, who gushed about my Sunspots performance. Another nudge to recall my past glory days under the spotlight.
Throughout every stage of the narrative, Poyser and DP Ellie Ann Fenton skillfully portray the dynamic interplay with a subtle yet fitting authenticity. Meanwhile, Courtney Voss’s thoughtful design elements enrich the story without drawing attention to themselves. At the core of “Leads” lies the contrast between two contradictory ideals: Merritt’s concept of freedom and Mags’ burden of responsibility, which she carries with an air of resignation. In essence, Merritt does far more than simply remind the overworked Mags to utilize her backyard firepit. He transforms her smoldering concerns into chaotic predicaments, and inspires his sister with the confidence to confront at least one decisive goodbye. Humorous and uplifting in turns, “Leads” imparts lessons on stirring up trouble, letting go, and discovering clarity amidst confusion.
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2025-06-07 01:54