SXSW Review: Emotionally Rich And Satisfying Depression Dramedy 'Life in Color'

Two depressed misfits with big dreams find some solace in a fleeting connection in Katharine Emmer’s affecting “Life in Color,” which she also wrote and starred in (among other duties, as per the indie filmmaking process). Emmer stars as Mary, a dour and depressed L.A. nanny, whose life is turned upside down when she shares a fateful toke with birthday clown Homer (Josh McDermitt) during one of her charges’ birthday parties. It’s quite the unconventional meet-cute, and doesn’t initially reveal itself as such until much later.

Wracked with guilt over her pot-induced firing, Homer offers her a place to stay, an offer which Mary has to reluctantly take. She’s clearly struggling, with no family or friends to turn to, and the situation forces her into the uncomfortable position of having to crash with a stranger while she searches for a job. The relationship with Homer is strained from the beginning, with Mary claiming he owes her the money from the job she lost. As they are forced into...