Chris Pine and Jenny Slate star in 'Carousel', a neorealist love story that takes a painful look at lonely-hearts romance. The film, with its oblique-chic drama and heavy mood shadow of Cassavetes and Bergman stylings, feels like a movie from the late '90s, destined for the Sundance bubble rather than mainstream success. The lead actors, Pine and Slate, deliver strong performances, but the film's slow pace and elliptical storytelling may leave some viewers disengaged. The story centers on Noah, a divorced physician, and Rebecca, a high-powered politico turned high school teacher, who reconnect after a decade apart. Their relationship is complicated by their daughter's hidden rage over their divorce and the primal ambivalence surrounding the renovation and sale of their family home. While the film has its flaws, including disjointed pacing and a lack of clear resolution, it ultimately feels worth watching, with moments of touching realism and a strong performance from Pine. The title's meaning remains elusive, adding to the film's enigmatic quality.
