It’s safe to describe Ronald Bronstein as the Safdie Brothers’ secret weapon.
As editor and co-writer on Ben and Josh Safdie’s films such as Good Time and Uncut Gems, Bronstein showcased an eye for detail and realism that perfectly complements the Safdies’ gritty directing style. The three feel practically made for each other, sharing a fascination for the grungy, toxic New York subculture with their uncompromising vulnerability. They take us into a New York that feels real and alive, but viewed through the lens of deeply flawed, compelling characters. The Criterion Collection recently released two films that encapsulate Bronstein’s relationship with the Safdies: Frownland (2008) and Daddy Long Legs (2010), both of which are must owns for fans.
Frownland: Ronald Bronstein’s only directorial feature, Frownland, is a challenging and powerful sit, unlike any film I’ve ever seen. Following Keith (Dore Mann), a salesman with severe social anxiety, Frownland feels like a strange home movie found at the bottom of a box of VHS tapes sold at a yard sale. It’s more of a character piece, following Keith as he spends his day at work while trying to interact with other people. The film almost feels voyeuristic in its vulnerability; I’ve rarely seen social anxiety depicted so accurately and brutally. Every conversation that triggers Keith feels genuine, and I respect Bronstein for his direct approach to representing social anxiety. The film’s comedy is pitch black, especially as Keith is trying and failing to salvage some normalcy with how he talks to people. Over time the film feels like a grimy black hole that Keith can’t escape, running a kaleidoscope of emotions ranging from funny, depressing, and horrifying all at once. Not since Maniac (1980) have I felt so simultaneously disturbed and entranced by a film. Frownland is an unapologetic cringe-ride of maddening terror that I highly recommend to those looking for something unique, even if watching the film made me need to shower after.
Daddy Long Legs: The debut feature of the Safdie Brothers, this time we see Ronald Bronstein in a lead acting role, as well as editor and co-writer. He plays Lenny, a divorced father trying to take care of his two little kids during the two weeks of the year he gets to see them. The film is semi-autobiographical, based heavily on the Safdie Brothers’ experiences with their divorced father. Even from the beginning, you can see the marriage of Bronstein’s editing and the Safdies’ directing at work through the miraculous pacing of the film. The film hustles and bustles, reflecting the busy New York streets and Lenny’s chaotic, easily distracted mindset. Ronald Bronstein portrays Lenny’s caring but irresponsible nature perfectly. Lenny loves his kids, but his irresponsibility gets in the way of being called a “good parent.” His screw-ups feel true to his character, as they’re not as over-the-top or brutal as most bad fathers on TV and films but are all based around his immaturity. His bad judgment and lack of responsibility leads to his kids getting hurt or put in harmful situations; all the while, Lenny cares more about getting blamed. The film makes you empathize with Lenny wanting to be present in his kids’ lives while also showing the dark consequences of his flaws. Daddy Long Legs is a must for anyone wanting to dive deeper into the Safdies’ work.
The Criterion edition also includes their insane short film, There’s Nothing You Can Really Do.
Both Frownland and Daddy Long Legs are now available on DVD and Blu Ray through the Criterion Collection. You can find more info on Frownland here and Daddy Long Legs here
