Brendan Prost is a familiar name for regular readers of The Independent Critic, with two of his films, Choch and Generation Why having been reviewed here. Prost's fourth micro-budget film, Sensitive Parts is a dramedy that centers around Dolore (Carolyn Yonge), an insecure young woman who introduces her boyfriend, Riun (Sean Marshall Jr.), to her best friend, Sinead (Jennifer Kobelt) not realizing that the two, years earlier, were, um, "acquainted" with one another.

Not surprisingly, Dolore doesn't take the news very well.

Self-finances and shot around metro Vancouver, Sensitive Parts is a sweet, funny and endearing little film that blossoms largely on the strength of its top notch ensemble cast led by the wonderful Carolyn Yonge, an actress who sort of projects an Alyson Hannigan quality about her weaving together sweetness, social insecurity, a little bit of dorkiness and a hint of sensuality. While Yonge convincingly plays out her insecurities, her relationship with Riun is realistic and heartfelt and one scene, in particular, is filled with so much aching vulnerability that you can't help but want to go up to her and give her a big ole' hug.

Sean Marshall Jr.'s Riun is more low-key, sort of a cross between self-assured and slacker. Yeah, it is possible to cross the two. He "fits" with Dolore, an important things to consider as the film plays out yet one also understands all the places Prost takes the script. As the best friend, Jennifer Kobelt is a consummate best friend, richly human and in many ways a complete opposite of Dolore yet, as well, it feels like an honest and authentic friendship in Kobelt's sure and steady hands. In relatively brief appearances, Monice Peter and Dayleigh Nelson also shine.

What really helps Sensitive Parts to soar is the journey that Dolore travels, eventually having to decide if she's going to allow this newfound information to destroy the two most meaningful relationships in her life or if, perhaps, she's going to find a way to rise above it and tap into a part of herself that she's never really known.

The recently completed Sensitive Parts has been submitted to festivals and is looking forward to its premiere in the near future. At a mere 70-minutes in length, the film is a breezy and entertaining view that should no doubt please fans of quality microcinema. With involving characters and a tremendously talented ensemble cast, Sensitive Parts makes you hope for the day that Prost gets to work his magic with a higher budgeted film. For more information on the film, visit its website linked to in the credits.

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic