February Review: Moving Tale of Isolation & Connection

Nathan Deming’s February delivers heartfelt performances and striking visuals in a quiet story about loneliness and unlikely friendships.

Rosa’s husband, Luis (Erick Inestroza), however, approaches Miguel with a mix of indifference and frustration, unable to connect with his withdrawn brother-in-law. When Luis’s coworker Carl (Ritchie Gordon) unexpectedly offers to take Miguel ice fishing, it sets the stage for an unlikely bond between two polar opposites.

Clocking in at just 47 minutes, February uses its concise runtime effectively, crafting a story that emphasizes atmosphere and character dynamics. Miguel’s reserved and distant nature is evident throughout the film, a quietness that often leaves his family unsure of how to support him. His struggles with fitting into a new environment are portrayed with subtlety, leaving much of his inner turmoil to be inferred through David Duran’s restrained performance. It’s a delicate balancing act that relies on visuals as much as dialogue, and the film thrives in those moments where silence speaks volumes.

Miguel’s discovery of ice fishing is a pivotal moment, almost transformative in its impact. It’s as though a light bulb goes off; he finally finds something that resonates with him, something that allows him to break free, if only temporarily from his isolation. The ice-fishing scenes are among the film’s most visually striking, with their serene, snow-covered landscapes creating a meditative stillness that mirrors Miguel’s introspective nature. 

At the heart of the film lies the dynamic between Miguel and Carl, a character who initially seems like an odd match for the soft-spoken protagonist. Carl is loud, talkative, and brimming with crude humor, everything Miguel is not. Yet, their shared love of ice fishing bridges the gap between their personalities. Their interactions are layered with moments of humor, warmth, and subtle poignancy, as Carl’s unfiltered nature gradually draws Miguel out of his shell.

Ritchie Gordon’s portrayal of Carl is especially memorable. He brings a disarming charm to the character, managing to make Carl’s brashness feel endearing rather than overbearing. His mannerisms and colorful vocabulary lend an authenticity to the role, making Carl feel like someone you might actually know. For me, he evoked memories of my own driving instructor, right down to the way he spoke and carried himself, a testament to the relatable and grounded nature of Gordon’s performance. I was shocked to find out this was his first film, I really hope to see him again in more projects. 

While February excels in its central relationship and visual storytelling, its secondary characters lack the same level of depth. Rosa and Luis, while acted well by Nayeli Hernandez and Erick Inestroza, feel somewhat underdeveloped. The film’s short runtime makes this forgivable to a strong degree, as you can do only so much in 40 minutes. I also have to add a tiny little nitpick, without going into spoilers there is a scene involving Miguel working as a janitor, an incident is introduced but never fully explored, which had me scratching my head as it’s never brought up again or clear as to what happened. I even rewinded a bit a few times to see if I missed anything but it’s never really quite clear as to what happened. 

While February doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel, it succeeds in crafting a deeply human narrative within its concise format. With its great performances, stunning cinematography, and thoughtful storytelling, this is a film that will resonate with most people who feel lonely; it’s a reminder we can find friends in the most unexpected ways with the most unexpected people.

February is the second movie in a 12-film project that aims to capture the state of Wisconsin. The first film, January, was released in 2022. February won the Golden Badger Award at the 2024 Wisconsin Film Festival.