Nothing Solid may be rough around the edges, but its heart, humor, and honesty make it the kind of indie film that reminds you why personal filmmaking still matters.
by Nav Qateel
Most independent films are made by filmmakers who are passionate about their projects, but writer-director Sharisse Zeroonian’s Nothing Solid oozes passion based on the writing and the way Zeroonian delivers her lines with such ease.
Clearly this movie means a lot to the director, and how much of it is based on her personal experience, I don’t know, but I think I prefer not to know because that’s all part of the charm of films like this one. We can take away our own ideas and feelings about the film.
Nikki is in her mid-twenties and works part-time writing articles for an Armenian church newsletter. After she starts throwing up, Nikki (played by Zeroonian) tries to find out the root cause of the problem as it begins to interfere with every aspect of her life.
Her doctor gives her medication to take but also points her in the direction of Dr. Miller, a therapist she recommends.
Zeroonian’s comedy follows Nikki as she attempts to solve the mystery of her vomiting illness, and along the way she has to face the relationship she has with her parents on the advice of Dr. Miller.
Nothing Solid also has slice-of-life qualities, but in a way that’s not unlike Diablo Cody’s coming-of-age hit Juno, especially in the way Nikki verbally spars with Dr. Miller or bestie Tamar.
Nikki has quite a few therapy sessions with Dr. Miller (played by Russell J. Gannon), and for me these were among the highlights of Zeroonian’s movie. The director got to show off her writing skills with witty back-and-forth dialogue that mostly worked well.
Nikki and the doctor analyze her various relationships with family members and how that could perhaps have something to do with the vomiting, among other things.
I enjoyed Nikki’s parents’ reaction to seeing her throw up for the first time. As soon as it happened, I remember thinking, “Ah, they’ll think she’s pregnant,” but no, they immediately went to “maybe it’s a brain tumor,” demonstrating Zeroonian’s wonderful sense of humor. From lines like “I was gonna Chappaquiddick the car” to her gargling rendition of “Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In,” the director maintains the humor from start to finish, which was impressive.
While Nothing Solid wasn’t perfect thanks to a small budget and uneven sound at times, the film was entertaining throughout, making me chuckle consistently. As I mentioned at the start, this film was made by someone who loved making it, and it really shows. If you enjoy indie comedies, then this one is a no-brainer.
Nav’s Score: 7/10
