Lane 1974 (2017)

Lane 1974 Poster

At 13 years old and the eldest of three kids, Lane struggles to keep her family together as her iconoclast mother moves without warning through the communes and dusty back woods of Northern California.

Introduction
"Lane 1974" is a coming-of-age drama film directed by SJ Chiro and launched in 2017. The film is based on the memoir "The Hypocrisy of Disco" by Clane Hayward. It is set in the 1970s, and follows the life of a 13-year-old girl, Lane, who is raised by her unstable and non-conformist mother, living a nomadic way of life in Northern California. The movie explores styles of family, adolescence, and the battles of residing on the fringes of society.

Plot
The story begins with Lane, her mother, Hallelujah, her brother or sisters, and a couple of buddies living a carefree and countercultural existence in a communal house in rural Northern California. Hallelujah leads the group, making it through on farming, scavenging, and off-the-grid living. Lane is torn between welcoming her mother's way of living and her growing need for structure and stability.

Disaster strikes when their home is raided by child protective services, and the group is required to flee, leaving behind their garden tilled with marijuana. Hallelujah chooses to move the household to another commune, this time run by her old buddy, Ray. The new commune is more structured and self-sufficient, however Hallelujah's irregular habits and rejection to regard rules isolates her and her children from the community.

As tensions increase within the household, Lane look for normalcy in the precarious world she lives in. She discovers solace in music and secretly listens to the radio, a symbol of the outdoors world and a connection to everything she's missing out on. Lane also forms friendships with individuals residing in the surrounding location, particularly with Clarice, a girl who works at a close-by grocery store.

When Hallelujah's habits ends up being progressively damaging, Lane realizes that her commitment to her mom might come at the cost of her own development and development. After Hallelujah takes from the commune and triggers a rift in between her and Ray, Lane needs to make a difficult choice between continuing to live in mayhem with her mom or delegating create her own course.

Characters
1. Lane (Sophia Mitri Schloss) - The 13-year-old lead character of the movie, who is wise beyond her years due to her unstable and nomadic childhood. She struggles to navigate the complexities of teenage years and the sacrifices she should make for her household.

2. Hallelujah (Katherine Moennig) - Lane's mom and leader of the alternative commune. Her countercultural beliefs and free-spirited ways seem real but are frequently weakened by her selfish and self-destructive actions.

3. Clarice (Sara Coates) - A kind and understanding lady who operates at a regional supermarket, she becomes a confidante and a symbol of stability for Lane.

4. Ray (Linas Phillips) - The leader of the 2nd commune the household signs up with, who sets guidelines and expectations for the group. His clashes with Hallelujah ultimately result in the household's expulsion from the commune.

Styles and Reception
"Lane 1974" provides a distinct point of view on the countercultural movement of the 1970s, as translucented the eyes of a young girl. The movie highlights the various ways in which idealism can encounter the reality of residing on the fringes of society. The film also checks out themes of family, loyalty, and the difficulties of adolescence, especially for those with non-traditional trainings.

Critics praised "Lane 1974" for its strong performances, particularly from Sophia Mitri Schloss as Lane and Katherine Moennig as Hallelujah. The cinematography and attention to information in recreating the 1970s setting were also applauded. Nevertheless, some viewers discovered the pacing of the movie sluggish or felt it did not have a strong narrative structure.

In general, "Lane 1974" is an intimate and thought-provoking coming-of-age story that uses a window into a frequently overlooked aspect of 1970s counterculture.

Top Cast

  • Sophia Mitri Schloss (small)
    Sophia Mitri Schloss
    Lane
  • Katherine Moennig (small)
    Katherine Moennig
    Hallelujah
  • Sara Coates (small)
    Sara Coates
    Clarise
  • Linas Phillips (small)
    Linas Phillips
    Claude
  • Jasmin Savoy Brown (small)
    Jasmin Savoy Brown
    Puma
  • Sarah-Eve Gazitt (small)
    Sarah-Eve Gazitt
    Sky
  • Annette Toutonghi
    Ethel
  • Erik Braa
    Steve
  • Jenn Tripp
    Commune Member
  • Victoria Vann Kuja
    Sasha
  • John Terrell
    Cloud