tech
January 23, 2026
Carousel review
Sundance film festival: an often lushly made yet frustratingly undercooked small town indie kicks off this year’s festival with disappointment
TL;DR
- Sundance Film Festival begins amidst grief for founder Robert Redford and a move from Park City.
- The film "Carousel" exemplifies the small, character-driven American indie genre that struggles to gain traction.
- Director Rachel Lambert uses sensory elements like music and nature shots, but the script is underdeveloped.
- Chris Pine plays an emotionally limited doctor in his 40s, dealing with his daughter's struggles and a reappearance of a past love.
- The film is criticized for confusing underwritten characters with subtlety and having an unsatisfying romantic ending.
- Despite effective moments and performances, the film leaves gaps and a sense of listlessness.
Continue reading the original article