Genuinely authentic and compelling filmmaking. Starting with an authentic and genuinely moving script, “Provo” takes the familiar road trip film structure but makes it feel fresh and new again....

Genuinely authentic and compelling filmmaking. Starting with an authentic and genuinely moving script, “Provo” takes the familiar road trip film structure but makes it feel fresh and new again. With strong writing comes great performances and writer/director/editor Emma Thatcher carries this movie effortlessly and never shies away from raw vulnerability on screen. And co-star Hunter Bryant equally commands the screen. There is not one wrong note from any of the other characters on screen. Besides the writing, directing, and performances, the cinematography and music fire on all cylinders. Neil Shukla’s cinematography in particular embraces natural light and helps to envelope the characters and the viewer in these various landscapes. Even the various Chicago shots at the beginning are visually exciting. “Provo” belongs in the company of substantial road trip slice of life films such as “Five Easy Pieces,” “Sideways,” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”