A beautiful and compelling film about the tests of friendship and love. The Flats, a 104 minute feature, tells the story of two best friends seemingly heading off into divergent life paths.

Luke, the more conventionally minded of the two, is deeply concerned about Harper's destructive happy go lucky ways. A near alcoholic, Harper and Paige, Luke's girlfriends find themselves mutually attracted to each other. That's the central conflict, not original but pregnant with possibilities, which should keep any audience engaged. `The Flats' will probably test your patience at the start - it's a slow moving film, pedestrian in fact, but this is more than compensated for by some of the most breathtaking scenes and beautiful cinematography.

Your patience will also be rewarded by some wrenching, `angstful' moments, finely drawn characters and, of course a really good story.

Casting choices are near perfect - Chad Lindberg, Sean Christensen and Jade Herrera turn in excellent performances as the principal characters, and work well together. A fine feature film debut by co-writers and directors Kelly and Tyler Requa. Highly recommended.

Ayo Johnson