Palm Trees and Power Lines is a drama film directed by Jamie Dack, based on her short film of the same name. The film stars Lily McInerney as Lea, a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in a remote California town with her alcoholic mother (Gretchen Mol) and dreams of escaping her dull and lonely life.

Lea's world changes when she meets Tucker (Emily Jackson),a charming and charismatic older man who showers her with attention, gifts and promises. Lea falls for Tucker's manipulations and enters into a relationship with him, unaware of his sinister intentions and hidden agenda.

The film is a harrowing and realistic portrayal of teenage grooming that does not shy away from showing the disturbing and abusive nature of Tucker's actions. The film also explores the psychological effects of grooming on Lea, who becomes isolated, confused and dependent on Tucker.

The film features excellent performances from the cast, especially McInerney, who delivers a nuanced and heartbreaking portrayal of Lea. She captures Lea's vulnerability, innocence, desperation and resilience with authenticity and sensitivity. Jackson is also convincing as Tucker, who plays on Lea's insecurities and emotions with ease.

The film is shot in a naturalistic style that creates a contrast between the sunny and idyllic landscapes of California and the dark and oppressive reality of Lea's situation. The film also uses an effective sound design that enhances the mood and tension of the scenes.

Palm Trees and Power Lines is a harrowing and realistic portrayal of teenage grooming that will leave you shocked and moved.

Saw this back at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival

Palm Trees and Power Lines is directed by Jamie Dack and it's a story about a disconnected teenage girl enters a relationship with a man twice her age. She sees him as the solution to all her problems, but his intentions are not what they seem. Starring actors Lily McInerny and Jonathan Tucker. Based on the short film also with the same name and by Dack, it felt really more of a longer filler version of the short film. Dack is trying her best to capture a disturbing realistic portrayal about a relationship between a young girl and an older man that becomes much more then we thought about. But due to a storyline that feels repetitive and lazy, it didn't take the serious subject matter to it's advantage and become a snooze fest.

Mclnerny and Tucker both give good performances and there are some good camerawork displayed. I do appreciate Dack choosing actors who fit the characters role properly. But the story needs work. The characters are lazy and unbearable at times. Some of the dialogue feels really fake and forced. As if an adult doesn't really understand how young people talk in this modern day of age. Certain choices from the characters was really idiotic and annoying which made me lose my interesting and focus on the character. The lightening at certain moments were really too dark to see what is happening because of budget issues which I can forgive for those reasons. But there is a lot of potential that is missed and I really do feel like this movie would have been an disturbing hidden gem just like "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" which this movie reminded me of that hidden gem. But it didn't work as well.

Dack is good for what is trying to do but I honestly was disappointed.

Rating: C-

Palm trees and Power Lines is the story of a bored girl who is emerging on adolescence. She meets a much older man who seems to understand her like she wishes others did.

So per my IMDb page I have seen 439 horror movies in my life... plus obviously many others. This film is without a doubt one of the most cringy and disturbing I have ever seen. This is not for the feint of heart. It also may not go in the direction you immediately assume.

The screen play is spot on , crafting a realistic story and character motivations. The acting and casting here is also very strong with Lily McInerny playing a girl 5 years younger than she is in real life to protection. You feel her frustrations with her circumstances and lack of belonging. Johnathon Tucker also plays his character very well in a role that demands a certain level of performance.

The only negatives I can even conjure up here is the entire film is shot on hand help and sometimes it becomes jarring to watch. Mundane conversations can be unappealing to look at and it isn't shot the best.

This movie absolutely nails what it was going for and should be seen by the right group of people but it isn't for everyone just the same. If you can take being shocked, offended and challenged by a take on a coming of age story - this is a great film.