Our take
She Taught Love has a familiar romance film plotline– a guy that’s lost meets a girl that sets him straight, and through a course of a connection, they challenge each other’s perspective to become better people– but there’s a naturalness to the conversations writer and male lead Darrell Britt-Gibson creates through his performance, casual, genuine moments that is pairs well with easy, relaxed vibe formed by director Nate Edwards. It’s gorgeously graded, meticulously framed, with slow zoom-ins and pans that gradually switch between aspect ratios to create a sense of openness or restriction, depending on the moment. And with Arsema Thomas’ unshakeable poise as female lead, She Taught Love feels elegant in a way not many indie romance films are.
Synopsis
Ever since getting off a prestigious cable television series, Frank Cooper has been coasting through life distracting himself with women, booze and blow, while auditioning to play stereotypical gang members and drug dealers. But the minute he meets Mali Waters, a sports agent living for the present, his whole world changes.
Storyline
After a successful cable television series, actor Frank Cooper has been coasting through life, distracting himself with vices while half-heartedly auditioning for stereotypical roles. However, after meeting sports agent Mali Waters, who’s currently facing her mortality, both of their worlds change.
TLDR
Look, you should strive to be better regardless of whether or not you're in a relationship. But it's still beautiful when two people work together to do better.
What stands out
This movie feels like a film, like it was actually shot in film, even if it probably isn’t, with depth and contrast that makes the colors look much richer. It’s a look that we’ve been missing from the digital landscape today.