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MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2017 | VOLUME 134 ISSUE 04
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE STUDENT VOICE SINCE 1904
Self says Kings 'a great place' for Frank Mason III
▶ WESLEY DOTSON
@WesDotsonUDK
Self said he thinks Mason's mentality will
KANSAN.COM
Review: 'The Scent of Rain and Lightning' is an interesting, uneven look at small-town mystery
"The Scent of Rain and Lightning" will screen at the Lawrence Arts Center on July 1 as part of the Free State Film Festival.
GUS HUNNINGHAKE @gushunninghake
Contributed Photo
or a film showing at a small festival in Kansas, there sure is a stacked cast of up-and-coming young actors in "The Scent of Rain and Lightning," a mystery drama from director Blake Robbins, who some viewers might recognize from his role as one of Jim's brothers on "The Office."
Set in a small, Midwest town, "The Scent of Rain and Lightning" stars Maika Monroe as Jody Linder, the daughter of parents Hugh (Justin Chatwin) and Laurie (Maggie Grace), who were both brutally murdered 12 years ago. When Billy (Brad Carter), their suspected murderer, is set free from jail, Jody begins digging into the past, trying to figure out what really happened the night her parents were killed. As she goes deeper into the rabbit hole, Jody uncovers shocking details that only further muddy the waters, as shocking betrayals and twists around every plot point drive the narrative toward an unexpected and bloody end.
Perhaps the best aspect of this film is the rural setting captured in all its rustic detail by director Robbins. Warm sunlit fields and worn down buildings perfectly reflect the aesthetic of living
in a small town, and the filmmakers' choice to not give the town a specific location makes the story a bit more broad and open to any small town in America, making each character slightly more relatable.
Despite the warm and welcoming setting, Robbins does incorporate a few techniques that inhibit the storytelling and make the viewing experience feel a bit off. Almost every scene in the film's runtime uses a whole lot of handheld shots, which have a very unsteady feel, almost like the camera is in constant motion. This is often used to incite feelings of unease. However, in this film's case, its overreliance on the handheld technique takes a bit of edge away from narrative moments that should feel more weighty and impactful.
From a storytelling standpoint, the film relies heavily on flashbacks, almost annoyingly so. There are many times when the story feels almost halted because the flashbacks get in the way. There's no sense of timing or placement for the flashbacks that take place, and these scenes often overshadow and inhibit the flow of Jody's investigation into the past. By the time the credits roll, many plot points are left unanswered or found to be unnecessary to the narrative, even though they were made to seem
important at the start of the film.
Performances by the actors and actresses across the board were fine, but none really stood out or felt really unique from the rest. Monroe does her best as the character the audience is supposed to feel most connected to, but at the same time, it's hard to see her as someone who has experienced the deep pain of losing her parents. The film gives her almost no alone time to really give viewers the emotional depth needed to understand her character.
As a whole, "The Scent of Rain and Lightning" is an interesting look at small town drama and how when everyone knows everyone, no secret can be left unturned. However, there aren't enough character moments, especially from focal character Jody, to
make the overarching narrative feel grounded or real enough to have the impact of other mystery dramas that have come before it.
"The Scent of Rain and Lightning" will be screened at the Lawrence Arts Center on July 1 as part of the Free State Film Festival. It will be followed by a Q&A with director Robbins and screenwriter Casey Twenter.
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Robertson said, shows the need for a community like this one.
"We've talked about it over the years but never had a sense that there was a particular interest or need yet. When it began to percolate from the students, before it was mostly our staff wondering if we should do it." Robertson said. "Finally it was our students saying, 'Hello, we want this,' and that's when we're going to act on it."
"Having a single room was cool, but it did suck that I missed the opportunity to live with a roommate all because I couldn't find someone who was open-minded," Wantling said. "Especially because once I got to KU I met a lot of open-minded people that said, 'Oh, I would have lived with you had I
year. Thinking's year in Student Housing was a good one spent in a single room at GSP, she said, but getting there wasn't easy.
The work group, spear-
"I had a lot of people turn me down just because of my sexuality," Wantling said. "I had one girl who said, 'My mom doesn't want me to live with anyone that's gay,' and another one that was like, 'Well, my boyfriend might have a problem with that.'"
The creation of the GIH wing, Robertson said, is one step toward removing hurdles like those faced by students
SEEDORM PAGE2
practices for campus carry
▶ MCKENNA HARFORD
@McKennaHartford.
Editor's Note: This story is the third in a series of stories looking at the way concealed carry on campus will look once it goes into effect July 1.
Each new semester brings a new round of syllabuses, but this semester professors will include a new added section of information that addresses concealed
carry on campus. As the University prepares to shift to an environment where students are legally allowed to bring concealed handguns to class, this will be just one of many preparations.
In response to the arrival of concealed weapons on July 1 as a result of a 2013 state law, professors are taking steps to adjust their teaching style, class content, office hours or even seeking employment elsewhere.
Aerospace engineering professor Ron Barrett Gonzalez, president of the Kansas chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said this is because many faculty members are concerned that concealed carry will have a chilling effect in classrooms.
"I know a nontrivial number of faculty members who are changing their syllabus.
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SPORTS...6
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