There’s kind of a candy store of supporting roles here — Austin Pendleton plays opposite Kathleen Chalfant as a dentist / assistant team also giving personal advice. Carrie Preston and Miriam Shor are also in the waiting room for the coveted play whose director is played by Michael Emerson of “Lost.”
John Ellison Conlee appears as a possible rebound relationship, as shaky and unsure in his own actions. And Susan Blackwell plays a friend who offers supportive dating advice you might actually pocket yourself.
Kristine Sutherland and John Pankow are enlisted to play her supportive parents, but even they get meatier roles, thanks to Steeves’ sensitive script, in which Sutherland apologizes for not preparing her daughter for such a chasm.
Steeves is splendid throughout. Although she’s wrenching with grief, rage and sadness for so much of the film, she also radiates love in the “before” scenes and is determined to be hopeful for creating her next chapter in the “after.”
For a first time screenplay, there are a number of effective, purely visual storytelling turns as when a holding room for commercial auditions is divided between sleek young models, young moms and to our character’s shock, much older moms. Steeves’ Jennie tends to stare longingly at children who pass by or are playing, including one with tiny cowboy boots she can’t get out of her mind.
What makes the film, billed as “a post romantic dramedy” really pop out from any other such indie efforts is the unique combination of using co-directors, with Stephen Kunken, normally an actor himself, concentrating on getting the best out of the cast, and Jack Lewars, one of the most in-demand colorists in Hollywood, tasked with making each New York shot really beautifully framed and sumptuous.
It makes what is already a satisfying, grown-up and fully-realized assessment of the dissolution of a relationship also a treat to watch.
“Before/During/After” shows tonight as part of the RiverRun Film Festival in Greensboro, N.C., where Steeves will also receive the Emerging Master Award. The film is also streaming on Amazon Prime.