Starz Denver Film Festival: Artistic director Brit Withey's must-see pick for Monday, Nov. 8

Again this year, Starz Denver Film Festival artistic director Brit Withey is offering his must-see picks for each day of the fest -- flicks that movie lovers might otherwise miss amid the flood of silver-screen goodies. Below, he describes his choice for Monday, November 8: The New Year...

By Michael Roberts

November 8, 2010

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Again this year, Starz Denver Film Festival artistic director Brit Withey is offering his must-see picks for each day of the fest -- flicks that movie lovers might otherwise miss amid the flood of silver-screen goodies.

Below, he describes his choice for Monday, November 8: The New Year.

The New Year Directed by Brett Haley Monday, November 8, 6:30 p.m. Denver FilmCenter/Colfax

"One of the film trends I suppose I'm not completely in love with is the sort of mopey, go-nowhere American independent film," Withey concedes. "But The New Year is something different: a really well-written, charming character drama about a young girl who returns to her hometown to take care of her father, who's ill -- and she's working at a bowling alley.

"This is a first-time film that's shot very well, and it just nails the story on all levels. The actress in it [Trieste Kelly Dunn] is amazing, and the film doesn't have any of that sort of American independent drag on it. It's an uplifting film, and the ending is so satisfying."

As a bonus, Withey points out that director Brett Haley is in town for the picture's screenings -- tonight's being the last. Overall, he views the movie as "another one of those great reasons to come to the festival."

Here's the trailer for The New Year:

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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