Parked

This Irish narrative is nothing like I expected, and in a good way. I thought it would be a lighthearted look at being homeless in Ireland; maybe not completely lighthearted since homelessness is a very real issue, but I didn't expect the film to delve too deeply into other topics. I was completely wrong, and I'm glad I was.

Parked illustrates topics that are prevalent in today's society. Some issues dominate the film, such as homelessness and drug use, but others linger in the background. Grief and loss are touched upon, as is having to overcome pride. There's a hint of a romance, but that never overshadows the film. The friendship and mentorship between the main characters, Fred and Cathal, are at the forefront. And their relationship is amusing as it's not quite the typical mentorship. And the two learn a lot from each other despite their age difference.

The music in Parked is simple yet beautiful. Some of the filming techniques also give the film a touch of unassumed elegance. Many of the "serious" moments lack any background music, which gives those scenes weighted importance. Another part of Parked that I like is that no storyline is left unresolved. Some storylines aren’t truly resolved in the sense that I may want, but the filmmakers definitely make sure that they provide some sort of closure to everything.