When 'Gazer' begins with an exhortation to pay attention, it meticulously lays out a world of gritty realities through a lens of intense observation and striking imagery. The film, rooted in an industrial New Jersey setting, revolves around a character named Frankie (Ariella Mastroianni) who is grappling with a neurological disease causing her to lose chunks of time to blackouts.
Ryan J. Sloan, the creator of this tension-infused thriller, masterfully brings the viewer into Frankie’s distorted reality. His filmmaking style employs a gritty '70s-tone, resorting to a shaky handheld camera to mirror Frankie's unstable existence. The innovative use of the film’s soundscape manipulates mood and tone, reflecting Frankie’s own shifting emotions.
During a heartbreaking support group session, Frankie encounters Paige (Renee Gagner) who comes with a mysterious proposition. Paige's sudden disappearance triggers Frankie's search for her, diving deeper into a world of seedy motels, factories and dubious apartment buildings.
'Gazer', co-written by Mastroianni and Sloan, plunges the viewer into a web of uncertainty, fueling suspense about Paige's whereabouts and Frankie's potential involvement in her disappearance. Yet, the film lets its deepest emotions remain hidden, represented only by abstract symbolism. Questions about Paige provide clear but unexciting answers, while queries about Frankie's past remain unresolved. Nonetheless, her grief unfolds, although its texture remains elusive, with her lost family members appearing more as theoretical constructs than tangible beings.
Sloan's expertise in constructing this intricate world and his portrayal of Frankie shines through, providing us an in-depth view of a woman who could otherwise remain unnoticed. His curiosity to explore complexities and the confidence to unravel the stories he imagines into visually striking realities form the fundamental pillars of 'Gazer'.
