LAZY EYE

Lazy Eye: A Quiet Reflection on Love, Memory, and Second Chances

Lazy Eye is a 2016 independent romantic drama written and directed by Tim Kirkman. With its intimate tone and minimalist setting, the film examines what happens when past love resurfaces after years of silence. Set against the vast and sun-soaked backdrop of the California desert, Lazy Eye tells a story about rediscovery — not only of another person, but of oneself. Through its introspective writing and natural performances, the film captures the bittersweet nature of aging, regret, and the complicated beauty of rekindled love.

The story centers on Dean, a successful graphic designer living in Los Angeles. His life appears stable, but emotionally, he feels adrift — disconnected from his work, his relationships, and perhaps even from himself. Out of the blue, he receives an email from Alex, an old lover who disappeared suddenly without explanation fifteen years earlier. The message stirs memories and unresolved emotions that Dean thought he had left behind. After some hesitation, the two agree to meet at Dean’s secluded vacation house in Joshua Tree, where they spend a few days together, talking, remembering, and confronting the pain and passion that once defined their relationship.

What follows is a deeply personal and conversational exploration of love’s afterlife — how it lingers, transforms, and continues to shape who we become. Dean and Alex’s reunion is tender but uneasy. They laugh, argue, and reminisce, peeling away layers of old hurt and misunderstanding. As they reconnect, they confront difficult questions: Why did Alex leave without saying goodbye? Has time healed their wounds, or merely buried them? And is love something that can truly be revived after years of distance?

Tim Kirkman’s direction emphasizes intimacy and emotional honesty. The film unfolds almost entirely between two characters, relying on dialogue and body language rather than dramatic plot twists. This simplicity allows the audience to focus on the subtleties of human connection — the pauses, the silences, the glances that say what words cannot. The desert setting becomes a metaphor for emotional isolation and renewal; its emptiness reflects the characters’ internal landscapes, while its vastness hints at freedom and possibility.

Visually, Lazy Eye is stunning in its restraint. The warm, golden light of the desert contrasts beautifully with the emotional complexity of the story. Cinematographer Aaron Kovalchik uses natural light to create a sense of intimacy and realism, while the slow pacing encourages reflection rather than action. The result is a film that feels less like a traditional romance and more like a meditative journey through memory and forgiveness.

Performances by Lucas Near-Verbrugghe (Dean) and Aaron Costa Ganis (Alex) are quietly compelling. Their chemistry is authentic and mature, capturing both the tenderness of reunion and the tension of unresolved history. The dialogue between them feels organic — sometimes awkward, often poignant, always real. Both actors bring a sense of vulnerability that anchors the film’s emotional truth.

At its heart, Lazy Eye is about time — how it changes people and relationships, and how it doesn’t always provide the closure we expect. It’s also about seeing clearly after years of looking away. The title itself serves as a metaphor: sometimes love requires adjusting one’s vision, learning to see the imperfections and beauty of another person — and oneself — with new eyes.

Ultimately, Lazy Eye is a gentle and deeply human film. It doesn’t rely on melodrama or spectacle but instead offers something rarer — quiet reflection. Through its honest portrayal of love lost and rediscovered, it reminds viewers that closure is not about forgetting the past, but understanding it. In its silence and simplicity, Lazy Eye finds profound emotional truth, leaving audiences with a lingering sense of peace, nostalgia, and the faint possibility of renewal.