Sleepless Even places viewers in the midst of hurricane season, though it doesn't focus on the chaotic energy and rush to secure supplies that many might expect. Instead, it follows several people in North Florida who are simply going about their lives as usual. Simpson has crafted a film with virtually no plot, but it's not without action, choosing to focus on the details of how Floridians deal with an impending disaster. Think of them as vignettes: a pair of friends performing comedy at a dive bar consider leaving town before the storm hits for a gig. A teenage girl swims and bikes and spends the day working at a tourist trap. An older woman shares a hotel room with a stranger. A storm chaser's chance to film something important is thwarted by mere chance.
Of these story arcs, some are shorter than others. But each feels like a simple glimpse into a life that deserves attention. They may not be lives well lived, as we watch these people experience everything from utter disappointment to crushing boredom. But there's something wonderfully observational about the way they're presented. Though the footage seems carefully curated, Simpson creates a sense of realism that reflects what one might actually experience during hurricane season. (Take it from a Floridian.) What's most captivating is the sheer atmosphere, especially in the soundscapes that sound exactly like walking through Florida, from the flowing water to the whirring wind.
Director: Alexandra Simpson
Writer: Alexandra Simpson
Stars: Taylor Benton, Xavier Brown-Sanders, Jordan Coley
Like another recent Omnes Films production, Tyler Taormina's Christmas Eve at Miller's Point, Simpson's film revels in the everyday experience of being alive. However, unlike Taormina's chaotic family portrait, Simpson's work focuses on a sense of tranquility—the calm before the storm, so to speak. No Sleep Till perfectly captures what it means to exist in a moment, even when that moment is frustrating. While it's probably an overused term, everything about it feels right at home, from the specific references and examples from diverse parts of North Florida (Jacksonville and Duval County! Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach!) to the way it avoids subtitling the sparse non-English dialogue, subtly emphasizing Florida's multicultural nature and including some charming Spanish jokes.
The impending storm doesn't have to weigh heavily on this narrative because, for most Floridians, the idea of a storm is fleeting. A hurricane is a source of imminent danger and, for many, ruins lives. But there's also a sense of exhaustion that comes with the grind of another potential hurricane, and the alarmist, frantic preparation that entails. Some might view these characters' lives as dull, but that's not the central sentiment of No Sleep Until. Nor is it what Simpson seems to think of them, given the inherent affection their portrayal inspires.
These aren't people yearning for more or using an evacuation alert as an excuse to escape. These are people who complain about Florida because they adore it, because it feels like home, because they love the kitsch shops, because they want to swim when the mood strikes. The duo who decides to take a road trip is one of the best examples of the dichotomy every Floridian faces: they're aware that there could be something more outside this broken state, but they're also enamored with Florida's absurd beauty, whether through bad country songs or tacky hotels. They can do all this while a hurricane threatens to approach simply because, with life at a standstill, they don't have to abide by life's rules. In that brief period before a potential disaster, they're allowed to simply be.
In movies, as in life, we face disappointment. But for the protagonists of Sleepless Until, disappointment comes with a return to normalcy. During a hurricane, there's the possibility of doing anything you set your mind to, whether it's partying, storm-chasing, road tripping, or just taking a dip. The insignificance of this film is not a flaw, but a liberating insight, extending to the fact that the impending storm and the panic surrounding it are a kind of false alarm (as many tend to be).
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