Angels Crest

The small working-class town of Angels Crest rests quietly in one of the vast valleys of the Rocky Mountains. Not much happens in this tight-knit community except for the occasional convergence in the local diner where locals mull over drip coffee and trade gossip. The recession is evident, and residents do what they can to get by on what little they have. Ethan (Thomas Dekker), one of the town’s inhabitants, is a young father but not much more than a kid himself. He has no choice but to look after his three-year-old son Nate, since mom Cindy (Lynn Collins) is an alcoholic. But one snowy day, Ethan’s good intentions are thwarted by a moment of thoughtlessness, resulting in tragedy. A local prosecutor (Jeremy Piven) haunted by his past goes after Ethan, and the ensuing confusion and grief catapult the townspeople into strange new directions as they try to make sense of what happened and where the blame lies.

Set in a stunning mountain landscape, beautifully shot by cinematographer David Johnson, Gaby Dellal’s (On a Clear Day) heartrending and tender drama, based on the eponymous novel, features extraordinary performances from its talented ensemble cast. Dellal’s sophomore feature is a powerful and moving piece that resonates beyond the screen. —Tribeca Film Festival