Beeswax

If the filmmaking centers of L.A. and New York washed away into their respective oceans Austin could easily pick up the slack. The film Beeswax while low key has the kind of charismatic characters that keep a person interested in their story. Beeswax was made in Austin and you can feel the capital city vibe just as if you were visiting for the day.
Rather than offer a navel gazing narrative with a bunch of thirty and twentysomethings Beeswax plows straight through to offer a look at what makes people tick. The characters are mostly young adults who seem to be on the verge of accomplishing something but meanwhile life happens. The main story involves sisters Jeannie and Lauren, one of whom is wheelchair bound. The plot concerns the mundane hope that Jeannie can keep her tiny vintage clothing store afloat but other people and events, while not particularly groundbreaking or even exciting, keep the film bouncing.
Director Andrew Bujalski cast Beeswax with unknowns and that suits the informality of their daily lives just fine. Bujalski also seems to have instructed everyone to offer line readings that recall what I kindly refer to as the Michael Cera schtick. In other words characters react with uncertainty and often toss off funny thoughts as if on a whim. Beeswax will attract a certain kind of crowd what with it being in one theater and having an indie feel. But the low budget production values are slick and fit the film like a glove.




Actress Tilly Hatcher (Jeannie) and director Andrew Bujalski will attend the screenings of Beeswax on Saturday, October 10, at 4:20 and 7:10 followed by a Q&A. Beeswax is playing exclusively at the Angelika Theater.