A Poignant Indie Rom-Com with a Unique Emotional Core
Writer-director Jon Hill’s Above the Clouds arrives as a confident and compelling debut feature that surprises in all the right ways. At its surface, it’s a romantic comedy with quirky characters and light humor, but beneath that layer lies a sincere and thoughtful meditation on loss, identity, and unexpected human connection. The film asks, “What happens to you after your father dies?” — a question that quietly echoes throughout every frame.
The story follows Jay (Chris Labadie), who returns to Los Angeles after the death of his father. Lost, emotionally raw, and searching for something to tether him, Jay stumbles into an unlikely connection with Dani (Kahyun Kim), a stranger who becomes a guiding light in the most unexpected of ways. Over the course of a single day, the pair navigate grief, awkward encounters, and fleeting moments of clarity, leading to a conclusion that’s as earned as it is emotionally satisfying.
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Captivating Performances Ground the Emotional Beats
Chris Labadie brings a reserved vulnerability to Jay, never overplaying the grief or undercutting the charm. It’s a performance that feels lived-in and genuine. Kahyun Kim, as Dani, steals nearly every scene with a mix of magnetic energy and quiet compassion. Her chemistry with Labadie is immediate but unforced, helping the film strike a delicate tonal balance between heartfelt introspection and offbeat humor.
Supporting performances by Matty Cardarople, Christy St. John, Tiffany Chen, and Aria Song add additional depth and character to the small world the film builds. Each character feels purposeful, and even minor encounters carry weight, reflecting the unpredictable nature of human connection when we are at our most vulnerable.
Visual Poetry in a Single-Day Structure
The cinematography, which won honors at the Asian Film Festival, adds another level of depth to the film’s emotional journey. The visuals are understated yet artful, capturing intimate moments with a poetic eye. Whether it’s a fleeting glance, a quiet street in the golden hour, or the simple act of sitting still in grief, the camera allows scenes to breathe and speak for themselves.
Hill’s choice to structure the film over a single day gives the narrative a focused, almost meditative rhythm. It avoids unnecessary exposition and instead leans into the natural unfolding of a very personal day in Jay’s life. This choice pays off by immersing the viewer in the moment and allowing the story’s emotional resonance to emerge slowly and organically.
Striking a Balance Between Humor and Heartache
What sets Above the Clouds apart from similar indie dramedies is how well it navigates tonal shifts. The film never leans too heavily into sentimentality or quirk for quirk’s sake. Bobby LePire of Film Threat notes that the film “takes a few unexpected but delightful turns,” which is absolutely true, and those turns never feel manipulative or overly constructed. They feel like the kind of moments we all have when we least expect them: strange, beautiful, awkward, and profoundly real.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Debut with Lasting Impact
Above the Clouds is a small film with a big heart. It doesn’t shout for attention but rather earns it through honesty, restraint, and a deep understanding of emotional nuance. Jon Hill’s directorial debut feels personal and poetic, bolstered by strong performances and sharp writing. While it may not reinvent the romantic drama genre, it refreshes it with sincerity and specificity.
For fans of Before Sunset or Past Lives, this is a must-watch. And for anyone processing loss or seeking beauty in quiet connection, this film will stay with you long after the credits roll.
About “Above the Clouds”
Synopsis: Over the course of one day, Jay returns to LA following the death of his father. With the help of a stranger, Jay must find a way to navigate his new life while dealing with the question, “What happens to you after your father dies?”
Director: Jon Hill
Writer: Jon Hill
Cast: Kahyun Kim, Chris Labadie, Matty Cardarople, Christy St. John, Tiffany Chen, Aria Song
Rated: NR
Runtime: 1h 30m
Releases: February 24, 2023
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