I like to watch a film fresh, without knowing the story, the actors or people’s opinions. This was my approach with Tre and it was very satisfying. I suggest you stop reading this for now and watch the film before you continue on with this article. I promise that you’ll enjoy it more so. This article will still be here when you come back.
After a breakup, Tre (Daniel Cariagaz), returns to his old home to find a naked woman sleeping in his old bed. He soon discovers that his room was given away by his best friend, Gabe (Erik McDowell), to Nina (Alix Koromzay). Separated from her husband, Nina is a sassy actress/waitress who shortly becomes susceptible to Tre’s sharp, witty tongue and cynical demeanor. Tre and Nina’s love lives contrast harshly with that of Gabe and his girlfriend Kakela (Kimberly-Rose Wolter), who are in love. Gabe and Kakela are living with Nina, with Tre now added to the equation. That night, unable to sleep, Kakela accidentally find Tre and Nina having sex.
The next morning, during an argument about Nina’s infidelity with Tre, Kakela is shocked when Gabe pulls out a ring to propose to her. After a brief affair and argument, Nina leaves the picture and Tre and Kakela are left alone all day because Gabe goes to work. Tre purposely pushes Kakela’s buttons by intruding upon her space, but eventually they get along. The boundaries between a love-hate friendship are blurred when Tre proposes a test of faithfulness to Kakela.
Tre is director Eric Byler’s follow up to, the indie-dramas, Charlotte Sometimes and Americanese. With Tre, Byler has stepped it up a notch and Tre is just as enticing as its predecessors. Byler’s marksmanship skills, as a director and co-writer, literally hit the spot; Byler tests friendships, relationships and kinship in this latest film, all the while keeping a seductive undertone.
Daniel Cariagaz does an exceptional job playing the character of Tre, who is both cynical and raw, while being witty and intelligent all at once. His gestures and remarks are subtle but blunt, leaving you questioning Tre’s intentions. Tre’s interaction with each individual character is unique. Each character is its own world, and when worlds collide, the outcome of each relationship is painful to watch, leaving you unable to turn away.
There are several sex scenes that heat up the tension between characters, and these scenes should not be watched with your mother. However, watching it with a date or lover could stimulate some interesting conversation, amongst other things.
With lines like “Imagine kissing someone you’re not suppose to for ten seconds,” and “Did you steal my panties?”, this film will leave you either loving or hating it. Some prefer coffee, but it was my cup of tea. |
