Ari Selinger’s Film ON THE END A Big Hit At 33rd HIFF

To many east end folks the film of the 33rdHamptons Film Festival has to be Ari Selinger’s ON THE END. It had its World Premiere sold out screening on Oct. 4th and was so popular an additional screening (Wednesday Oct 8th) was instantly sold out. Make no mistake about it Ari Selinger has landed this film firmly on the soft spot the authentic east enders, specifically the old time pre-covid boom Montauk folk knew and loved. It was mostly shot in Montauk and all locals will easily know the locations from Navy Beach to Ditch Plains and it being a true story some may know some of the actual characters fictionalized for perhaps legal reasons. That being said, this is a pure old-time Montauk love story equal to the efforts of Erich Segal and his Ryan O’Neil, Ali McGraw mega-hit film LOVE STORY of (1970) but sort of in reverse. No wealth.

Ari Selinger, both wrote and directed the movie. Instead of circling on the new rich and famous type folks now buying up Montauk, he brilliantly zeroed in on the underbelly of the hamptons. The true unhamptons folks, the hard-working blue-collar cogs-in-the-wheel folks who make a community run all year round. It could have been once the story of everything east of the Shinnecock Canal like the Swede Edwards of Southampton, or Tate King and his North Sea Farm on Noyac Road, or even old man Corrigan and his car shop in Bridgehampton, where Howard Hughes secretly borrowed cars way back. This film is as real as those men and their epic lives.

About the performances in the movie one has to start with both Tim Blake Nelson (Tom) and Mirelle Enos (Freckles.) Their performances together is everything anyone who remembers the old Montauk can identify with. They touch your soul and hearts in so many different scenes with moments that are the real definitions of totally loving someone. Ms. Enos will remind everyone of someone they knew back then in Montauk and Mr. Blake of someone you played poker with at Liars Saloon. Mr. Blake gives an award-winning performance; he will be remembered for this role. Ms. Enos will also be forever remembered in her role as “Freckles.” This performance most likely will guarantee her roles into the future as her persona owns the screen and she has the magic to flirt with the camera throughout the film. Anna Chlumsky masterfully plays Jess the villainous real estate agent and James Badge Dale plays her husband an East Hampton Town Detective. After seeing this film you will sing the praises of Lois Smith, as (Trudie) because her performance bridges the gap of age, anger, love and decency. Desmin Borges, Matthew Mayer, Glenn Fleshler, Michele Hurd, Raye Levine and Sawyer Spielberg all add their talents to the film.

All this being said it is the lore of the hamlet of Montauk that Ari Selinger brings back to life. This film for many east end folks will literally bring one back in time. ON THE END will bring to mind everything everyone who has ever lived, vacationed, fished or even did a day trip to Montauk has felt. It will pull on their inner strings of consciousness. Produced by Jason Beekman, Harris Gurny, Raven Jensen and Matthew Heymann everyone knows it takes a village to make a film of this quality. One must note the excellent camera work of both Cinematographer Conor Murphy and the composer of the music in the film, Eitan Selinger. Do see this film.

Note: T.J Clemente is not an employee of Patch but actively does reviews for a popular Hamptons website and has so for over 13 years. He has been composing articles weekly on the east end for over 20 years.