"This film really stayed with me. At its heart, it’s about what happens after a traumatic experience—especially when that trauma is tangled up with narcissism, betrayal, and the devastating realization that people you trusted may not be who you believed them to be. What I found most powerful was its portrayal of the stories we tell ourselves in order to make sense of what has happened to us. Our inner voices can become so convincing that they shape not only how we remember an experience, but how we see ourselves, the people around us, and our entire reality. The film captures that internal struggle with remarkable honesty and compassion. The performances are wonderful—vulnerable, nuanced, and deeply human—and the film never feels like it’s trying to manufacture emotion. It is simply honest and full of heart. There were moments that felt painfully familiar, but also incredibly validating. A beautiful and insightful portrayal of trauma, betrayal, friendship, and the complicated process of separating what happened to us from the narratives we’ve built around it. This one will stay with me for a long time." 

-Lianne Appelt

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"James’ daring exploration of the betrayal of close friends, the hurt feelings it instills, along with its resulting turmoil, makes for a very thought provoking watch. And then to further examine a person’s inner good and evil balance is brilliant! Wishing you well, James, in taking this film far."

-Daphne Wheeler

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"The Lake of Shine and Gloom is a thoughtful film about what happens when people are forced to confront the things that have hurt them. The themes of trauma and betrayal come through strongly, especially in the way the characters struggle with what they've experienced and how those experiences shape the people they become. Knowing that the story is loosely based on the director's own life experiences adds another layer to the film and makes its exploration of these themes feel particularly personal. I also liked the way the film avoids drawing a simple line between good and bad. People can carry both sides within themselves, and the story gives that idea plenty of room to breathe. What stood out to me most is the film's message about moving forward. Dealing with trauma doesn't mean simply leaving the past behind; sometimes it means facing it, understanding how it changed you, and deciding what you want to do with that experience. The character's struggles with betrayal and their own darker impulses make that journey feel complicated and relatable. Overall, The Lake of Shine and Gloom is a film that gives you something to think about after watching it, particularly about the choices people make when they're caught between their better and darker sides. The personal connection behind the story makes that message feel all the more meaningful."

-Shawn McNally

 

"Congratulations on the showing of your film, The Lake of Shine and Gloom. You must be very proud of the production and I am thrilled to have been a part of the premiere. Since Friday night, I have talked to many friends about the movie and I thought I would share some of the ideas that emerged from these chats.  Many of your techniques worked very well, such as, use of black and white filming and cutting off of final words. I found the film very easy to follow and these somewhat subtle cues were effective and clever.  It's hard to believe it, but not revealing the issue worked very well. It doesn't really matter what the issue was; the movie was really about how Argent handled the issue, not the issue itself. "
-Marilyn O'brien

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"Loved the film. It makes you think for sure. The way you filmed different scenes - use of color vs black and white was a very creative way to make your point. I look forward to seeing this at the festivals and beyond."

-Neil Burka

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“The production and story were both very well done. When you lean on the cinematography and the director to tell the story and not dramatic background music you let the audience decide how to react and feel. Well done James!”

-Craig Gormus

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"My husband and I enjoyed the film very much! We especially liked the actors who played Argent, Birdie and Cory. The conflicts in Argent’s thoughts at the lake were quite interesting. His good side encouraged him in a positive way. We really enjoyed the actor who played his negative side. He was very natural with his character. We also enjoyed the developing relationship between the girl and Argent. I appreciated that Argent forgave Rider in the end, although he wasn’t asked to come back to the group. When the film is available online, I am sure we will be watching it again.'

-Ronna Farley  

 

“It was very different learning how to move on if there is a disappointment in your life. Or another words, not to worry about if someone is not fair in your working environment. 

-Sean Tebyanian

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"It was absolutely amazing and wonderful!!!  Best wishes for getting into an Indy film festival — I definitely think you will do well there!!!"

-Nea Wheeler 

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“The movie is very educational. Every generation can relate to it. I enjoyed it and hopefully I can watch it again. It was very Inspiring. It is not easy to choose Mercy over Justice.” 

-Nasrin Rashidi

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