Carving a Life

Mitch (Tyler Bruhn), a woodworker struggling with alcoholism after the death of his mother, begins a relationship with Lauren (Karenssa LeGear), a local elementary schoolteacher. His past trauma and difficult relationship with his father strains his romantic relationship with Lauren.

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• Tyler Bruhn as Mitch
• Karenssa LeGear as Lauren
• Aaron Landon Bornstein as Stephen
• Lisa Winans as Rebecca
• Sandi Todorovic as Eric
• Jay Jee as Dr. Johnson
• Laura Bohlin as Mary
• Navid Negahban as Dr. Kasem
• Tiffany Espensen as Veronica
• Lindsay Kaye Sainato as Lyndsey
• Marla Bingham as Rehab Psychologist
• Kathleen Holt as Nurse Mary
• Max Baroudi as Young Mitch
• Samuel James Pfoser as Young Eric
• Kellen Rose as Kid at beach
• Mark Benjamin as Ethan
• Frank Papia as Gordon
• Lizet Benrey as Rehab Counselor

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It was the debut film of director Terry Ross.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Katie |date=2017-10-13 |title=Review: Indie drama 'Carving a Life,' about addiction, means well but is ineptly made |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-capsule-carving-a-life-review-20171013-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013215626/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-capsule-carving-a-life-review-20171013-story.html |archive-date=2017-10-13 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}} Principal photography took place in North County of San Diego, Anaheim and Julian, California.{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Lola |date=2015-12-03 |title=Films coming back to county |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-lola-sherman-karenssa-legear-2015dec02-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916210917/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-lola-sherman-karenssa-legear-2015dec02-story.html |archive-date=2018-09-16 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}

The film was presented at the American Film Market.{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Ann Reilly |date=2015-12-03 |title=One Step Back, Two Steps Forward: Catching Up with 'Carving A Life' |url=https://ramonajournalarchives.com/one-step-back-two-steps-forward-catching-up-with-carving-a-life-p7353-288.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613081506/https://ramonajournalarchives.com/one-step-back-two-steps-forward-catching-up-with-carving-a-life-p7353-288.htm |archive-date=2022-06-13 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Ramona Journal}} The film had a screening in San Diego,{{Cite web |date=2018-01-07 |title='Carving a Life' premiere screening happening Tuesday - |url=https://www.kusi.com/carving-life-premiere-screening-happening-tuesday/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722104128/https://www.kusi.com/carving-life-premiere-screening-happening-tuesday/ |archive-date=2018-07-22 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=KUSI |language=en-US}} a limited theatrical release in Los Angeles and was distributed by Indie Rights.{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Wendy |date=2017-10-13 |title=Life in Reels Productions Releases Award-Winning Film : Carving A Life {{!}} Movie Vine |url=https://www.movievine.com/news/life-in-reels-productions-releases-award-winning-film-carving-a-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109025739/https://www.movievine.com/news/life-in-reels-productions-releases-award-winning-film-carving-a-life/ |archive-date=2017-11-09 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Movie Vine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2017-11-12 |title=Carving a Life (2017) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Carving-a-Life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120004503/https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Carving-a-Life |archive-date=2017-11-20 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=The Numbers}}

The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics. Katie Walsh at Los Angeles Times described it as well-intentioned but amateurish, calling it "the kind of DIY indie film that tries very, very hard but completely misses the mark." Adam Keller at Film Threat scored it 1 out of 5 stating it was "stream-of-consciousness mush."{{Cite web |last=Keller |first=Adam |date=2018-05-09 |title=Carving A Life {{!}} Film Threat |url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/carving-a-life/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510034246/http://filmthreat.com/reviews/carving-a-life/ |archive-date=2018-05-10 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Film Threat |language=en-US}} Chris Olson at UK Film Review scored it 4 stars calling it "genuinely moving [...] tender and engaging."{{Cite web |last=Olson |first=Chris |date=2017-12-12 |title=Carving a Life indie film |url=https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/carving-a-life-indie-film |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927014542/https://www.ukfilmreview.co.uk/post/carving-a-life-indie-film |archive-date=2020-09-27 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=UK Film Review |language=en}} Occhi Magazine rated the film 3 stars and said it would've been better with an "expanded plot and more focus on the characters."{{Cite web |date=2017-12-05 |title=Review: 'Carving a Life' is an Enjoyable Film Written by Lisa Bruhn |url=https://occhimagazine.com/review-carving-a-life-is-an-enjoyable-film-written-by-lisa-bruhn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613085001/https://occhimagazine.com/review-carving-a-life-is-an-enjoyable-film-written-by-lisa-bruhn/ |archive-date=2022-06-13 |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=Occhi Magazine |language=en-US}}

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Category:2017 romantic drama films

Category:American romantic drama films

Category:Films shot in San Diego

Category:Films set in San Diego

Category:2017 directorial debut films

Category:2017 films

Category:Films about alcoholism

Category:Films about grief

Category:Films about father–son relationships

Category:Films directed by Terry Ross

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s American films

Category:Films about educators

Category:English-language romantic drama films