What Richard Did [TRIBECA REVIEW.]

Neophyte Jack Reynor portrays Richard Karlsen, a Dublin high school senior heading into his freshman year of college, is a natural born athlete and leader amongst his teammates and their friends. Charismatic and with money having never been a concern, his future is bright and all is going well for Richard, which is what he is accustomed to. During a typical night of ‘high school/college gap’ partying, a life-changing incident ensues between Richard and his friend Conor (Sam Keeley), and as conflict and tension arises (of course its about a girl), in the blink of an eye, one young man is dead and another is left to try and piece his whole world back together. The rest of the movie delves into Richard’s struggle with an appropriate response, ranging from anger to apology, regarding what is happening in his life and the struggles to understand what and why his family and friends are responding the way that they are.

Reynor makes you believe that he IS Richard and you truly feel him grappling to reassess each and everything that he thought he was. We, the audience realize that we’ve probably walked in his shoes, as we reassess how certain situations we’ve landed in could have been avoided if we’d just showed restraint, much like Richard deduces regarding simple contraband like cigarettes and beer and most notably a girl that is not available. The film written by Malcolm Campbell, and brilliantly directed by Lenny Abrahmson spins a modern tale of morality. Simply put, our true selves are revealed by our actions in Good and Bad times.