Sparrows Dance - A Movie Review

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Sparrows Dance is a 2012 indie film. An agoraphobic woman has to call a plumber when her toilet overflows. The pair strikes up chemistry when they bond over music. Now, new challenges are met when she is asked out on a date.

Sparrows Dance is a tender romance film. It’s a movie that talks about the importance of human connections. Some elements and deliveries didn’t feel natural in the storytelling, but past that, Sparrows Dance encourages audiences to take a step out of their comfort zone.

This is a very different role for Marin Ireland, who usually plays preppy and confident women. Here, she plays an unnamed agoraphobic woman who cuts herself off from the world. Ireland truly embodies this role, adding facial tics whenever she is nervous. She brings depth to the character, giving audiences someone to root for.

Paul Sparks plays Wes the plumber, a patient and kind-hearted man. I have not seen Sparks in any other films, and I liked his style. He is a goofy guy and likes to talk a lot. Wes understands that his client has reservations and abides by what she is comfortable with. We need more good-natured men like Wes.

The film explores the character’s loneliness in two different formats. Ireland’s character is completely isolated. She goes about her own routine, but she is fighting to overcome her fears. As for Wes, his talkative nature is a sign that he may be lonely.

One aspect that I liked about this film was the dialogue. The conversations they share are sweet. At one point, Wes talks about The Three Stooges. I could spend a whole hour talking about this short series. And then they find a connection through music.

On some occasions, it felt like Marin and Sparks were reading from a script. The dialogue didn’t feel natural, but they made a genuine effort. Their connection is the emotional core of the film.

Noah Buschel has directed and written eight films. He had a personal eye for the story and worked well with the actors. Sparrows Dance was made on a very low budget. He enhances a simple premise to be something more. I am keeping his films on my radar.

The visuals are an appealing element of Sparrows Dance, for which Buschel incorporated unique ideas. The camera is still and never follows the characters' movements. I noticed there are always close-ups of faces. Although limited in its filmmakers, every camera shot speaks volumes about how the characters feel.

The story is set in one location for the majority of the film. The apartment is essential to the setting. Bright city lights and neon signs glow through the windows, letting in the constant reminder of the outside world. In faraway shots, the house resembled a dollhouse in a creative shot. The dance sequence is a tender scene.

This film was made before the COVID-19 pandemic. After spending a lot of time inside and away from activities, I missed having conversations the most. Talking with others is more important than you think, and it helps build communication skills.

We can relate to fears. The question is, how do we overcome them? Sparrow’s Dance is a tender and sweet story about connection. It instills a helpful message that the progress we make is the right step towards anything. Human connection is a necessity.

Indie films are so important. Films like these deserve recognition. Sparrows Dance is slow in some parts, but it’s an uplifting story about romance, confidence, and finding yourself. The film is streaming on Tubi.