KRYSTAL:

Rosario Dawson stars in this William H. Macy directed film about a young man who falls in love with a stripper. The plot follows Taylor Ogburn (Nick Robinson) and his pursuit of a woman named Krystal Bryant (Rosario Dawson), who happens to be a stripper and a recovering alcoholic. Their romance is pretty unconventional and charming, at least the beginning courting phase of it.

Robinson does a good job playing a naive and inexperienced young man. Rosario’s character is like a life veteran. She’s been through it all, more so than many her age. Their contrasting life experiences is the central part of what the movie revolves around. Taylor’s attempt to assimilate to her lifestyle to understand and impress her. The supporting cast is strong, with the likes of Flash himself, Grant Gustin, Macy, T.I., Kathy Bates and Felicity Huffman among others. This film has some nice layers. Moments that will bring out laughter, make you cringe, sympathize and feel for the characters. It’s a nice romance hiding beneath all the outwardly established roadblocks.

KRYSTAL is out now in select theaters (including Village Crossing in Skokie, IL)