The Top 10 Indies of Summer 2007 (Part 1)

Summer months are best known for sequels, threequels, and blockbusters of all shapes and sizes. And even though there's no question that megahits such as Knocked Up and The Bourne Ultimatum were spectacular films (and perhaps may be remembered as some of the best of the year come December), it's a rare treat to highlight the little films between the big tent pole releases. So, without further ado, numbers 10 through 6 of my ten favorite indie releases of the Summer.

10. Waitress - It's a real joy to discover a film with great wit and heart, but finding one under these circumstances is bittersweet. Writer/director/actress Adrienne Shelly was very tragically murdered before this little gem, a dramatic comedy about a small town waitress (Keri Russell) in love with one man (Nathan Fillion) and pregnant with the child of another (Jeremy Sisto), even debuted at the Sundance film festival where it was splendidly received. Her legacy is a moving, darkly funny little sweetheart pie shop comedy that puts a one in a million spin on the numerous familiar romantic comedies that came before it.

9. La Vie en Rose - The life of famed French vocalist Edith Piaf is the inspiration for this visually stunning and splendidly acted feature from director Olivier Dahan. Marion Cotillard plays Piaf from her life as a teenager on the streets through to her death in a performance of unprecedented transformative prowess. She disappears completely into the body & soul of Piaf and should, at this early stage, be considered the frontrunner for this year's Best Actress trophies.

8. The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters - In light of numerous recent revelations that contend the veracity of this arcade gamer doc, it might be best to approach it as a brilliantly engrossing and contagiously funny comedy rather than an air-tight piece of documentary filmmaking. Accusations have been made against the filmmakers regarding potentially misleading factual omissions in the film. Subsequently, those involved in the production have more or less admitted that they edited the film with a specific narrative thread in mind, potentially excluding the more murky interpretations of the rivalry between classic gamer Billy Mitchell and newcomer Steve Wiebe. The brilliance here is really in the crafty story structure that keeps us fascinated with Billy and Steve's intense back and forth competition while simultaneously giving us a peek into the intriguing world of competitive arcade gaming.

7. Hannah Takes The Stairs - Director Joe Swanberg, operating under extreme low-budget circumstances, churns out yet another delightful, naturalistic dramedy about emotionally stunted, stubborn, and romantically entwined twentysomethings. The latest film in a trend that’s been deemed “mumblecore,” Hannah Takes The Stairs offers a fascinating, fly-on-the-wall look at the life of a complicated young woman (played with striking sincerity by Greta Gerwig) who stumbles quickly in and out of love with men.

6. Away from Her - Veteran screen actress Julie Christie shines in this heartbreaking debut feature from indie starlet turned writer/director Sarah Polley. Christie is absolutely radiant and irrefutably authentic as a woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Gordon Pinsent gives an equally impressive performance as her frustrated but eternally committed husband. He stands by his wife despite how distant she grows and how little of their life together she can remember. Its heartbreaking subject matter can make it difficult to watch at times but Away from Her is truly a character drama of the highest caliber.