A tumultuous relationship reaches its tipping point

On the Rocks, the debut feature by prolific Los Angeles filmmakers Alex Kavutskiy & Ariel Gardner, is the story of recovering alcoholic Dallas (Chase Fein) and his very-much-still-drinking wife Karen (Nichole Bagby), a young working class married couple in a tumultuous relationship. After his father dies, Dallas moves himself and Karen into his childhood home, ready to start the next chapter of their lives. Unfortunately, Dallas's attempts at stability and growth are constantly undercut by Karen's immaturity, her family's intrusion, and the demands of his work life. Every slight hiccup in their lives seems to suddenly escalate into an emergency. Seeking refuge from the insanity, Dallas finds himself pursuing the affections of a woman he meets at an AA meeting. On the Rocks is a frenetically-paced tightrope act of comedy and drama with tour-de-force performances from a goldmine of up-and-coming actors.—Jim Jam Abrahams