Donald Cried is an awkward and black comedy that reinterprets the formula for buddy films. It is a film that takes risks. And sometimes you'll be scratching your head and others you will be laughing at how clever and inventive the comedy and writing is. This movie really is the definition of indie films. Overall the film comes off a bit flimsy with not much leading anywhere as most of the characters receive only little development but it is worth a watch for the boldness of the director's vision.

Just watched Donald Cried on Netflix and really enjoyed it! Really down to earth characters. I think we all knew a Donald type character in high school and now as a 40 something; can also relate to some of the disappointments life sometimes brings. I would definitely look forward to seeing a sequel or even a prequel featuring these characters or any other offerings these talented filmmakers bring to the screen. Great job guys!Marc

"Donald" (2016 release; 85 min.) brings the story of two guys who were best friends in high school. As the movie opens, we get to know Peter, who is returning to his home town in Rhode Island after 20 years away to deal with the passing of his grandmother. As it happens, Peter realizes he forgot or lost his wallet on the bus ride up from Manhattan, and in a pinch, decides to look up his high school buddy Donald to hopefully get some help. Donald is absolutely delighted to see Peter again after all these years. At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Couple of comments: this movie is nothing short of a labor of love for Kris Avedisian, as he writes, directs, stars (as Donald) and produces (on a shoe-string budget, and funded in part through Kickstarter). The 2016 feature-length is based on the 2012 short film of the same name, and also starring Avedisian and Jesse Wakeman (as Peter). The subject matter is on the one hand the uncomfortable feeling Peter has returning to the place where he couldn't wait to escape from 20 years ago after high school, and on the other hand the unresolved emotion toll the high school years have taken on Donald (for whom time seemingly has stood still the last 20 years). I must tell you, I was quite uncomfortable myself watching the first half of the movie and almost decided to cut bait, but then an interesting thing happened: I became emotionally invested in these flawed characters, and I needed to find out how all of this would be resolved. The movie reminds in some ways of last year's outstanding "Krisha", from actor-writer-director-producer Trey Edward Shults. Plus anyone that has the guts to place a song from the so-uncool-they're-cool-again-NOT! Milli Vanilli ("Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" plays over the movie's end credits) gets extra brownie point in my book!"Donald Cried" showed up this past weekend out of the blue and without any pre-release ads or hype at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati. The Tuesday evening screening where I saw this at was surprisingly well attended, given to low-to-no profile this movie has gotten. I didn't know much of the film and took a flyer on it. Glad I did. This movie is definitely "off center" and probably not for everyone, but as already mentioned I ultimately found myself invested in it. If you've seen "Krisha" and liked that, I'd readily recommend you seek this out as well, be it in the theater, or eventually on VOD (no idea if this will ever make it to DVD/Blu-ray).

And what is it about crying losers that makes us laugh? It's mostly because he does not realize that we think he's a looser. Donald is from a small town that he never left and is contempt with his life. His best friend in high school, Peter who has not been back in town since he left 15 years ago returns to take care of his recently decease grandma's affairs, and in the processes, catches up with a man who has not changed in all that time, which is a real problem for Peter whose not trying to go back.Donald Cried is appealing in that it's a very relatable type of thing. The filmmaker who also happens to play Donald is able to tackle the subject most likely cause he has vast experience, either being the man he plays or most likely being Peter from a very observational point of view. It's a series of characters that no matter who you are you know at least one.It has a pretty solid story about a man who has his reasons for leaving and never looking back trying not to face looking back, but gets tangle with something (in this case someone) that's too wrapped up in what he's escaping.It seems far fetch to compare this movie to Manchester by The Sea, as it will never achieve the type of recognition that film will, just because this is a comedy, but it's the same for being relatable in that trying to escape a small town situation.Very good.http://cinemagardens.com