The Off Hours

Everybody at one time or another feels lonely. But when you realize that somehow life works out, it’s a most amazing feeling. The Off Hours is a film that captures that entire experience in 93 minutes.

Francine works at a 24-hour diner. Her life is a mess, but she manages. As she works and lives with an array of characters she never seems to have a dull moment. Then, when a new customer begins to open her eyes to the world, everything changes for Francine.

Usually I’m comforted seeing a film with at least one notable actor in it, so The Off Hours was film I risked watching. However, the lack of big name actors makes no difference in The Off Hours. The cast is fantastic. They live in the world they’ve created and are totally believable. Although you know it’s a feature film, at times you’d think you were watching a true story.

The story is simply perfect, too. It’s relatable and sympathetic without being patronizing. The director gives the audience the facts in a “take it or leave it” style, and presents the film as nothing more than a story about a girl. Never once are you made to judge any of the characters or their actions. It’s just the way they live their lives.

Even though the film is a low budget offering, you wouldn’t guess it cost so little to craft. Every scene was professional and the quality was the same as a major film. On any given day, The Off Hours is a film worth seeing.