TRUST IN LOVE

(The Vashon Island Film Festival ran August 8-11 on beautiful Vashon Island, WA. Check out Alan Motley’s review of Trust in Love. Seen it? Join the conversation with HtN on our Letterboxd Page.)

Trust in Love closes its theatrical roadshow in Seattle on August 17th, with a buzz that’s hard to ignore, thanks to its impressive haul of international awards and a premise that promises a mix of comedy and drama set against the picturesque backdrop of Malibu. However, while the film certainly has its moments, it falls short of its potential in several key areas.

Directed by Mick Davis and produced by its star, Jimi Petulla, Trust in Love aims to tell the heartfelt story of Mickey Ferrara (Petulla), a struggling record producer facing the unraveling of his family life. The narrative juggles heavy themes such as divorce, adolescent rebellion, and questions of sexual identity, all while trying to maintain a light-hearted, comedic tone. Unfortunately, the film’s attempt to balance these elements often feels forced, with the humor at times undercutting the gravity of the situations the characters face.

Petulla’s portrayal of Mickey, while earnest, occasionally slips into melodrama, making it difficult to fully connect with his character. The film’s script, though clearly written with passion, suffers from a lack of focus. The story meanders, and at 94 minutes, it feels both too long and too short—long enough to drag in places, but too short to fully explore the complex issues it introduces.

One of the film’s brighter spots is Tim Hazelip’s performance as Mickey’s brother, Bobby Ferrara. Despite having no prior acting experience, Hazelip brings a natural charm to the role, embodying the laid-back Malibu surfer persona with ease. However, the film’s reliance on his character’s comedic relief sometimes comes across as a crutch, diverting attention from the more serious storylines that deserve deeper exploration.

Visually, Trust in Love is undeniably stunning. The cinematography by Viorel Sergovici captures Malibu’s iconic landscapes in a way that almost compensates for the film’s narrative shortcomings. But while the film looks like a million dollars—or rather, between three to five million as Petulla suggested—it was made on a budget of less than one million, and the financial limitations are sometimes evident in the production values.

The supporting cast, including Natasha Wilson, Sydney Bullock, and Eric Roberts, delivers solid performances, but they are often given little to work with. The script’s attempts to address complex family dynamics are commendable but ultimately fall flat due to underdeveloped characters and rushed resolutions.

While Trust in Love has enjoyed success on the festival circuit, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that it might be receiving more praise for its good intentions than for its actual execution. The film tackles important themes and does so with a clear affection for its characters, but the uneven pacing and tonal inconsistencies make it a less satisfying experience than it could have been.

As the film wraps up its theatrical run in Seattle, Trust in Love leaves viewers with mixed emotions. It’s a film that clearly had the potential to be something great but instead lands somewhere in the middle—a heartfelt story that doesn’t quite hit the mark. For those interested in indie cinema or curious about how Malibu’s scenic beauty plays into a narrative, it’s worth a watch. But for those seeking a more cohesive and impactful exploration of family dynamics, Trust in Love might feel like a missed opportunity

– Alan Motley (@alanmotley)

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