SCRAP

Reviews

"...well-acted, confidently crafted...Vivian Kerr’s involving debut as writer and director features the actor as a single mother...an astute tale of a slipping-down life..."

- Variety

"[8/10 stars]...Vivian Kerr becomes a brilliant triple-threat...remarkable...The relationship between Ben and Beth is Scrap's heart, and Kerr has done a brilliant job depicting the nuances of a dysfunctional sibling dynamic."

- Screenrant

"[3.5/4 stars]...In her first feature as director, Kerr shows an exceptional gift for cinematic storytelling."

- RogerEbert.com

"Kerr writes, directs and delivers a layered lead performance as an unemployed woman who lies to her family about sleeping rough in her car."

- The Guardian

"Scrap marks the very promising debut of Vivian Kerr as a director...a perfect example of what American independent Hollywood cinema should be...with carefully crafted dialogue, committed actors...perfectly mastered script and direction..."

- Mulderville

"...quietly yet beautifully captures a narrative tapestry of the influence of past traumas...Kerr seems to have such an innate understanding of Beth that you'll find [yourself] wondering whether she's intimately familiar with this story or if this is simply the cinematic vehicle showing Hollywood her immense range...With intelligence and insight, Scrap brings all of these complexities to life..."

- The Independent Critic

"...imbued with the finest hours of Woody Allen cinema, although closer to Noah Baumbach from the Frances Ha era...a real success, uniting the tones wonderfully in an assembly that seems improbable, but surprisingly well balanced...an amazing, funny and often touching film."

- Toute La Culture

"[5 out of 5 stars]...Kerr does a remarkable job capturing the emotional rollercoaster involved in such situations and weaves an intricate tale...Kerr’s script is tight and accurate, giving her characters solid ground and dialogue on which to play...Kerr has earned her place as a director...Scrap has rich themes that reflect her understanding of serious situations relating to personal and complicated relationships...Bravo to Kerr."

- True View Reviews

"a wonderful echo of what the ’70s ushered in with such grace with the likes of Hal Ashby, Bob Rafelson, Robert Altman, and Sidney Lumet...Writer/director Kerr has peppered her story with real heartfelt people...Vivian Kerr, like her ’70s predecessors, delivers real people in real-life situations that so many of us can relate to...a wonderful little film..."

- The Movie Guys

"The direction is so simple and clean...Vivian is a star in the making. She's excellent on screen, a very talented actor, writer, and director, so I'm very interested to see where she goes in the future. ​Watch this space. Vivian Kerr is on the rise."

- Galway Film Podcast

"Kerr lives in the role...Rapp is excellent...SCRAP would do well as a series. Kerr gives us just enough backstory to reel us in, and there is a complexity that drives Beth and Ben...It is unimaginably relatable."

- Reel News Daily

"It’s a film that values honesty, swallowing your own pride, and owning your truth...its organic nature and performances continually shine through."

- The AU Review

"There’s an emotional relevance that exists throughout Scrap...in the moments of comedy, the things that come out of the characters’ mouths are hilarious, absurd, and a true reflection of the word vomit that can often arise in real life...an effective and emotionally-driven film."

-Bain's Film Reviews​

"...an important message told with a wealth of empathy that never disappears even as Beth spirals deeper and deeper into depression and denial...Kerr is very good in the role."

- Jared Mobarek

"Though it’s her first feature length work as director, Kerr handles the film with confidence, keeping it smooth enough on the surface for us to appreciate the turbulence underneath."

- Eye for Film

"...intensely dramatic and infused with a uniquely comedic swagger...SCRAP is a gem of a movie."​

- The Word

"Director/writer/star Vivian Kerr takes the familiar subject and makes her debut full length film a far more engaging examination of pride, dashed dreams, family bonds and parenthood...The script is very well done with relatable characters and just the right mix of natural humor...fresh perspectives and a charming, talented cast."

- Jeffrey Lyles

"Scrap is a hugely relatable feature debut... There’s a strong ensemble at work, led by a wonderfully brash and candid performance from Kerr."​

- Film Carnage

"SCRAP is shot as well as any studio production and the cast is fantastic...Vivian Kerr, doing triple duty on this movie, plays the role of a young, troubled mother figuring out the complexities of how the world works without a safety net with empathy and a natural realness."​

- Film Snobbery

"...Vivian Kerr's painful, joyous drama about a headstrong woman's descent into homelessness and delusion is an authentic portrait of a sibling relationship that is loving but dysfunctional...Kerr and Rapp give beautiful, layered performances."

- FilmYap

JULIAN

Reviews

“A hugely enjoyable short...a small cast of three who are skillful comedic actors…great deadpan reactions and masterful use of silent takes and pauses...Kerr shows strength in her direction by not allowing the quirkiness that surrounds the characters to overpower them.”​

-Screen Critix
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"...a short film that seems to delight in its weirdness but never completely sheds its complex undertone...
Vivian Kerr's direction of "Julian" is excellent... a funny concept put together expertly by a small group..."

- Indy Red
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"...sturdy dialogue, excellent performances and well-crafted camera and direction... it both explores the pervasiveness of psychological manipulation with lightness and levity -- and finds compassion for the dysfunction... with the skill of the performances and writing, the short has genuine emotional resonance."

- Omeleto

"As Brynn, Kerr plays the emotional center of the piece...Kerr brilliantly walks that delicate line between being civil and exploding with rage at the reality of the situation."

- Film Threat

Directing Reel: