*The Scout* is about a woman who works as a location scout for films and television shows. She travels across various New York City neighborhoods looking for people willing to allow filming inside their homes. While watching the movie, I couldn't help but think about the film's own location scout, who did a magnificent job finding beautiful houses for the production. Although, come to think of it, if you find yourself thinking about the person in charge of finding locations, the movie might not be working quite right.
Sofia (Mimi Davila) is scouting locations for an upcoming TV pilot. She leaves flyers on doorsteps with a phone number that interested parties can call for more information. When she receives a call, she arranges a visit to the person's home and takes photos of the interior to show the show's producers.
Director: Paula González-Nasser
Writer: Paula González-Nasser
Stars: Rutanya Alda, Matt Barats, Mimi Davila
There is no plot to speak of here. Instead, we spend a day with Sofia, observing how she interacts with various homeowners. She meets an older woman whose adult children live abroad, an IT specialist who has figured out how to hack the NYPD system to wipe out his parking tickets, and an old acquaintance with whom she had a contentious final encounter.
Written and directed by Paula González-Nasser—who previously worked as a location manager—*The Scout* is reminiscent of the work of Jim Jarmusch, whose films focus less on story and more on the small, quirky interactions between individuals. Sofia seems quite frustrated by the demands of her job and is in a relationship with a boyfriend who appears distant. Crossing paths with these people leads her to reflect on her own situation and what it takes to find personal fulfillment.
The difference lies in the fact that Jarmusch’s best films—*Stranger Than Paradise*, *Broken Flowers*, *Paterson*—are exceptionally well-written, featuring intelligent, engaging dialogue and characters made fascinating by their eccentricities. González-Nasser lacks that gift. Sofia’s conversations with others are rather bland, and none of the property owners possess a particularly striking personality. This makes the film feel slow and heavy-going. One keeps waiting for something dramatic to happen, but it never does.
Davila delivers a restrained, well-judged performance, making the most of a script that lacks substance. She successfully conveys Sofia’s inner turmoil, even though the source of her discontent remains unclear. Still, the actress would have risen to the challenge of a more complex role had the script offered greater depth. Another strong point is the appealing New York locations; the fascinating architecture invited a leisurely stroll through the streets.
However, it is worth noting that if, while watching a film, one considers going out for a walk, it is a sign that something isn't working. *The Scout* is pleasant enough, but it fails to leave a lasting impression.
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