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By Sandra Olmsted

In an unusual move, the St. Louis International Film Festival (SLIFF) opens with a film made locally and by St. Louis native Matt Amato, who returned to shoot his debut feature.

In The Makings of You, opposites attract in writer/director Amato romantic character study and love letter to St. Louis. When Judy (Sheryl Lee) wanders into a junk shop owned by Wallis (Jay R. Ferguson), the two experience an attraction that grows into love, but could love change their world?

She dreamed of being a teacher but now works as a lunch server and cook at a grade school; he dreamed of traveling the world but stayed in his father’s business and his parent’s house. Trapped by duty and complacency, Judy and Wallis experience a magical freedom in their love, and local cinematographer Chris Benson captures the striving for freedom in images of the river, the clouds, and birds in flight.

Judy’s “roommate” and mother, Margaret (Grace Zabriskie) takes a dim view of Judy’s new romance, and Amato metered out the reasons delicately throughout the film. Wallis strives to connect with Judy’s teenage sons, Eric (Michael Varble), who dreams of a music career, and Roy (Grant Leuchtner), who is already forgetting his dreams. Despite Judy and Wallis’ deep connection, what Wallis, Judy, and her family will risk for love and dreams may not be the same. The use of vintage clothing, old records, and old buildings give the film a timeless, nostalgic look which compliments the theme. The Makings of You opens SLIFF on November 13 with a reception and screening at the Tivoli Theater; for information see <http://www.cinemastlouis.org/sliff-opening-night-makings-you>.

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