Scrap is the the feature writing/directing debut from Vivian Kerr (Séance) who also stars in the film alongside Anthony Rapp (Rent) and Lana Parrilla (Once Upon A Time)

Beth (Vivian Kerr) has recently been laid off and struggles to maintain the appearance of a successful middle-class lifestyle as she bounces around Los Angeles. Hoping to land a new job and change her situation before her estranged older brother Ben (Anthony Rapp) finds out, Beth must confront her own pride in order to reconnect with him and provide for her young daughter Birdy. Meanwhile, Ben and his wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla) consider a third round of IVF and Stacy, a successful attorney, must re-evaluate her own conflicted relationship with motherhood.

The premise of Scrap initially seems like standard indie drama fare and don’t expect to find extensive plot twists or flashy cinematography here, at it’s heart is is a simple story of everyday characters and their lives and relationships.

Scrap serves as a timely reminder that people from all walks of live can suddenly fall on hard times at any point in their lives as we follow Beth, a single mom who had a comfortable job but gets laid off and ends up living out of her car. This is counter-posed with her older brother Ben who has found success as an author but is going through IVF with his partner Stacy. Ultimately at the start of the film none of these characters are truly happy with their situation and this is the journey of discovery they go on together and separately through the film. It shows that true happiness and security may not come the way we want or expect it to and also the power of family; whether through blood or just people that come into our lives.

Photo credit: Rue Dangeau

Vivian Kerr’s subtle directing allows for the story and performances to shine.  Her performance as Beth is an incredibly engaging and competent portrayal of a multilayered charecter who is struggling between her own happiness and looking after her young daughter; in a story where she is clearly drawing on some of her own experiences. And we get to see her play opposite Anthony Rapp’s Ben which is equally well acted and engaging as they explore the ebbs and flows of the relationship between these two siblings. It also gives a glimpse of what life in LA is like and the city is almost a charecter in itself.

4/5 – Vivian Kerr delivers an incredibly moving and well acted feature debut which she writes directs and stars in. 

The film is available to Rent/Buy now on Amazon UK, Amazon & AppleTV

Find out more at ScrapTheFilm.com