Hold Me, Softly isn’t a movie that will change your life. It stays inside its formulaic genre of romance with the usual narrative structure. A girl and boy meet, and they fall in love. They can’t be with each other, but love finds a way. But as the film reveals, there are obstacles. Snow hides some of them in her introverted soul, and Calvin’s are out in the open, as he’s part of a toxic and unnecessary relationship. Luckily, the only thing between them is an empty street in a cozy neighborhood.
Hold Me, Softly follows Snow, a quiet girl whose past is traumatic. She contemplates ending her life, but her memories are more powerful. We are taken back to a conversation she had with a police officer, which reveals a lot about the poor woman. Lonely and sad, Snow goes to sleep on the couch. But that night, she hears something outside. She has a new neighbor.
Calvin is the handsome dude who moves across the home where she lives. His smile is warm, and he always has good things to say. Their conversations become frequent, but they are always interrupted by a phone call. Calvin isn’t single, but his relationship is not exactly solid.
The best thing about Hold Me, Softly is that it doesn’t try to be what it can’t be. There are no failed attempts to produce a fancy movie with a complicated narrative that steers away from what its auteur is trying to achieve. This is a love story, and like all love stories, it’s complicated in its own way.
Writer/director Ina Tiernan Bailey lowers expectations by restraining the story inside a circle of absolute honesty. Snow and Calvin’s relationship is pure. An unfiltered version of a natural bond that takes place under the blistering sun (Bailey’s use of open spaces is not a coincidence). They never hide because it’s impossible to hide something as loud as two souls finally accepting they’re supposed to be with each other. The film stays where it needs to remain in the final act, as Snow again sees no reason for continuing. But Bailey is in control of the story, and she delivers a satisfying conclusion that will make you tear up if you find yourself compelled by the story of two strangers who have accepted that their place is with each other.
There are some issues with the sound mixing–especially in a scene where the two leads are having drinks while sitting on the curb. But Hold Me, Softly is full of the indie charm that always captures my attention. These are films with a lower production value, made with life savings, and with the super valuable support of cast, crew, and everyone who can contribute. Considering these standards, Hold Me, Softly does its job and comes out as a perfect presentation of a filmmaker who has a future in the industry.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
