Cinequest Film Festival – Following COVID-19, it’s likely that we’ll see pandemic-based films for some time. Ashgrove is another feature set during a global pandemic. What makes the film unique, however, is its deeply human story. While the pandemic is important in triggering the narrative, the film’s real conflict centers on a strained relationship.

Directed by Jeremy LaLonde, Ashgrove opens with an audio recording of an interview given by Dr. Jennifer Ashgrove (Amanda Brugel). She has the weight of the world on her shoulders, literally. She’s tasked with discovering a solution to a water crisis caused by a global pandemic. While the stakes are immediately high, the pandemic soon takes a backseat to the deeply personal and human story at the film’s center. Jennifer’s immense workload is straining her relationship with her husband Jason (Jonas Chernick).  To salvage the marriage, Jason plans a weekend get-a-way. The rest of the movie focuses on the highs and lows of their relationship. Jennifer tries to save the world, while Jason attempts to write a book that seems to be going nowhere. Oh, and he learns to play the ukulele, too. He also tries to support his wife the best he can.

It’s nice to see Brugel in a starring role after her work on “The Handmaid’s Tale.” She can certainly carry a feature film. Chernick, who co-wrote the film with Brugel, does a fine enough job in his role as well, though it’s nothing exceptional. The film works best when Jennifer and Jason’s emotions run high, be it over a spilled water bottle or a missed chance for intimacy. These are the moments when Brugel and Chernick really shine. There’s also additional conflict posed by another couple, Sammy (Natalie Brown) and Elliot (Shawn Doyle), who’s on Jennifer’s research team. It turns out that Sammy and Jason are old flames, and because their partners work so much, they’ve been spending an exorbitant amount of time together. This certainly creates tension, though this particular narrative thread could have been utilized a bit more to up the ante.

The film’s main flaw is that it’s too uneven. The last 30 minutes take quite the sudden turn. Without spoiling too much, let’s just say that another plot thread distracts from the film’s emotional core regarding Jason and Jennifer’s relationship. This sudden shift seemingly comes out of nowhere and feels unnecessary. It returns the narrative to the pandemic, but this feature works best when it’s grounded in the personal.

If there’s anything positive to say about COVID, it’s that it taught us not to take anything for granted, including our relationships. Ashgrove works best when it’s anchored to a couple trying to survive in a terrifying and uncertain world. When it strays from that, it falters and nearly goes off the rails. That said, there are enough moving movements here to save this feature. It’s likely the relationship woes Jason and Jennifer face will feel familiar to most couples. Both Brugel and Chernick give very authentic performances that will feel relatable, especially post-COVID.

6.5 Out of 10