Friends and family of Cory, a young man who has died of an overdose, gather at a Baltimore-area karaoke bar for his wake and compare stories about him. Gradually, as it becomes clear that there are many holes in their recollections about Cory, they fill in the blanks by talking about things that reveal aspects of their own lives. Among those mourning him and searching for meaning are his cousin Jenny, his sister Zoe and his brother James.
Direction
Porterfield's hybrid doc-fiction style blurs reality beautifully.
Acting
Non-actors playing versions of themselves — devastating authenticity.
Director
Matthew Porterfield
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Porterfield cast locals from his actual Baltimore neighborhood, many of whom had experienced similar losses — the karaoke bar is a real community hub.
Part of the 'Baltimore renaissance' alongside The Wire, but from inside the working-class white communities rarely depicted with this nuance.
US
