ASLEEP in MY PALM-Tim Blake Nelson's Film that Gets under Your Skin

Tim Blake Nelson is not your typically handsome Hollywood hunk. But, his nondescript looks have served him well as an actor. In numerous films Nelson has assumed a role in which he delivers a compelling and credulous character.  Oftentimes, the character portrayed by Nelson is quirky or on the outside fringes of society. ASLEEP in MY PALM was made with TIM Blake Nelson's son, Henry Nelson who wrote and directed the film. Henry wisely showcases Nelson in a role that plays to his father's strengths. Here Nelson stars as a single father of a 16 year old girl (Chloe Kerwin in a virtuoso performance.) The two live inside a storage unit in a small, rural college town in OH. It's winter break, there's snow on the ground and Christmas lights strewn  about in a desolate looking town. We meet Nelson while he's telling his daughter a story about Chicken Little with a philosophically bent. Little is construed as a distrusted profit who perceived a cataclysmic disaster when no one else did. There's an apparent warmth and tenderness that exists between the father and daughter. As he's about to leave after bundling up in multiple coats and hats, he instructs his daughter to lock the door behind him. He leaves while it's late at night with no about in order to steal bicycles on the campus which he sells to his accomplice, a deranged young man (a convincing Jared Abrahamson). Abrahamson tries to engage Nelson in conversation and companionship despite being coolly rebuffed. Nelson's backstory is not revealed til the end of the film but he's perceived as intelligent, resourceful loner except for his daughter. Nelson is only focused on getting paid by Abrahamson and a ride back to his daughter.  This film parallels "Leave No Trace" starring Ben Foster. Foster lives in the forests of WA with his teenage daughter as he too wants as little to do with society as possible. In both movies, the daughters have been sheltered from living amongst other people or in a conventional home. The awakening of the girls to their isolation and budding desires cause the films to ache with loneliness and unrequited longings. ASLEEP in MY PALM hints at a sinister look at those living outside the fray and poses a repugnance for the frivolousness of the fortunate with their advantages. The cinematography is haunting and the acting by its three leads give the film its power and grace. Still, it is confusing along the way and the startling, twist ending felt contrived.  However, along the way it's captivating as an inside look at the overlooked in society and a poignant plea for being seen.  I recommend seeing ASLEEP in MY PALM screening on APPLE TV. It's a dazzling debut film by a promising filmmaker and Henry Nelson in another outstanding performance from Tim Blake Nelson.