THE STORY – Following his wife’s recent passing, single father Lucky finds himself navigating the challenges of raising his son Mason, who has Down syndrome. Mason is an exuberant 11-year-old boy who enjoys drawing in his color book and watching baseball with his dad. Seeking solace, Lucky and Mason embark on a journey across Metro Atlanta to attend their first baseball game together. Throughout their day-long trip, they encounter Murphy’s Law. From car breakdowns to missed trains, the duo faces a series of obstacles that test their relationship. Despite the setbacks, they persevere, determined to reach the game. Together, Lucky and Mason learn that healing does not await them at the mountaintop, but can be found with every step along the path.
THE CAST – William Catlett, Brandee Evans, Terri J. Vaughn & Jeremiah Daniels
THE TEAM – David Fortune (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 99 Minutes
Being a parent is the greatest joy, but it’s also tiring. You must always be on, ready to help or teach, or just be there in case they need you. You don’t get to clock in or clock out. In “Color Book,” we meet a dad who just needs a little recovery time but doesn’t have a choice but to keep moving forward. Writer/director David Fortune’s debut feature is quiet and patient enough to stick with its characters on a long day, and it pays off in the end.
“Color Book” opens with Lucky helping his son Mason get dressed up for a sad day. They’re having a memorial service for Lucky’s wife, Mason’s mom, who just passed away. It’s a lovely balloon release, surrounded by family and friends sharing memories of Tammy. Afterward, they go home to try and figure out what life is like without her. Mason has Down Syndrome and needs a little extra attention, though he’s pretty self-sufficient if he has paper on which to color. They decide it’s time for Mason’s first-ever Atlanta Braves game the next day. Lucky’s tired but wants to do something to connect with Mason.
The film is fairly contained, primarily taking place over that next long day as Lucky and Mason try to make it to the Braves game but keep running into detours. The small-scale narrative occasionally finds contrived ways to keep extending the day, but it’s more of a reason to hang out with this family. Will Catlett (“Abigail,” “A Thousand and One“) plays Lucky in a stellar leading role. “Color Book” is a calling card for what Catlett can do, showcasing his magnificent skill. He’s subtle, finding little looks to express his stress or frustration, but still able to go big when it counts. The two make a wonderful pair, along with the young Jeremiah Daniels as Mason. Mason isn’t necessarily able to put words to his grief, but Daniels plays him just headstrong enough to show that his character feels off.
Lucky has to learn how to parent while grieving. He clearly loves his son deeply but gets frustrated at Mason for little things like struggling to spell his name. He unintentionally escalates these parenting moments, preferring to assert dominance rather than show up gently with Mason. Fortune’s writing is relatable for any parent making it up as they go along. He makes the wrong decisions and loses his patience, but he’s trying. Even so, he wants to have a great day together, and stuff just keeps going wrong. He’s not yet had time to process his wife’s passing, but he doesn’t get to pause being a dad.
Cinematographer Nikolaus Summerer captures the film in crisp black and white. It gives the movie a timeless feel, as though this story could be happening with any father and son over the last 50 years. A soulful, gentle score from Dabney Morris adds to that ambiance. This is a film about grief, though it’s not depressing or too sad. On the contrary, there’s grief in the air, but “Color Book” is filled with hope that life will go on and that Lucky and Mason can figure this out together. It’s a mature movie, thanks to wise writing, that doesn’t give the father and son an easy win. Their big day at the ball game doesn’t work out. There’s no big celebration or the most fantastic day of their lives. Instead, Lucky must find a new way to make Mason’s day okay. It’s a classic moment for so many dads, even for those not dealing with loss. “Color Book” is a confident, moving debut for Fortune and a call for more leading roles for Catlett.
