Film Review – On a String

Isabel Hagen is a stand-up comedian and Julliard graduate using her viola skills to help boost her stage presence and add something different to her routines. She makes her moviemaking debut with “On a String,” using her background as inspiration for a comedy about a twentysomething woman facing the troubles of romantic entanglements and the slow death of her dream. Hagen goes full indie with the picture, handling writing and directing duties while also starring in the picture, and she creates a very modest endeavor that feels completely lived-in at times. “On a String” is a feature of details, which Hagen tends to with care, and she also scores some laughs along the way, finding humor in the blues. It’s an incredibly small film, but well-observed and nicely performed, offering viewers an interesting look at the world of musicians and the strange discomfort that comes with perceived failures. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com