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The microbudgeted drama "Hunter Gatherer" is a compelling character study of an increasingly desperate striver, and a solid showcase for the exceptional actor Andre Royo.
Royo, recognizable as the drug addict Bubbles on "The Wire" or the shady lawyer Thirsty Rawlings on "Empire," plays Ashley Douglas, recently released from prison and eager to get on with his life. That starts with visiting his girlfriend, Linda (Ashley Wilkerson), and he is devastated to learn she has moved on and is now dating Dwayne (Antonio D. Charity), a city garbage worker.
Undaunted, Ashley aims to prove himself to regain Linda's affections. He looks for ways to make money, hitting on a scheme to remove people's old refrigerators and dump them in the next county — where, unlike in Dwayne's dump, there is no hazardous-materials fee. That scheme hinges on transportation, which is how he befriends Jeremy (George Sample III), a young man who earns his money by being subjected to medical testing.
Ashley also aims to better himself through education, enlisting an elementary-school teacher (Alexis DeLaRosa) to teach him cursive writing — all the better to woo back Linda. Meanwhile, just because he's pining for Linda doesn't mean Ashley can try for a little something on the side with Nat (Kellee Stewart), a neighborhood prostitute who's also in a relationship with motel owner Ray (Kevin Jackson).
First-time writer-director Josh Locy structures Ashley's quest rather loosely, a series of episodes in which the fast-talking Ashley is always trying to persuade whoever is within earshot to trust him that he's turning things around. If he applied the energy he wastes wooing Linda to getting a job, one surmises, he'd be CEO in a month.
Royo turns Ashley into a merry Don Quixote, a man who believes his pursuit of romance, no matter how doomed, ennobles his many failings. His performance is brimming with vitality, masking an inner heartbreak that only comes out in a touching finale.
"Hunter Gatherer" is nominated for the John Cassavetes Award at this year's Film Independent Awards, given to movies with budgets under $500,000. (Last year's winner was the excellent dysfunctional family drama "Krisha.") Locy is up against some strong competition — including two of last year's Sundance Film Festival titles, "Lovesong" and "Spa Night" — but his smart handling of this rambunctious character shows he's a young filmmaker with a solid future ahead of him.
Twitter: @moviecricket —
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'Hunter Gatherer'
An ex-con tries to maintain his optimism while rebuilding his life in this strong character study.
Where • Tower Theatre.
When • Opens Friday.
Rating • Not rated, but probably R for language and sexual dialogue.
Running time • 89 minutes.