Don't Cry, Just Try

Aside from giving lame excuse after lame excuse for not doing something, or for having done something bad, most Halfway House residents biggest problem is doing something so half-assed that they might as well have not done it. For example, common chores like cleaning, attending and participating in AA and NA meetings, following simple rules, commands, and instructions. The thing that flabbergasts the House Managers is that when confronted about their lazy, sullen, idiotic dereliction of duty, they whine – they give this or that reason why they couldn’t do a simple task, or follow an easy instruction. Well, one of our mottos here at the House is “Don’t Cry, Just Try.” Of course these dolts usually don’t try, so we resort to extreme methods to knock some sense into their pea-brains.

Directed by Shane Aaron, Don't Cry, Just Try leans on a strong ensemble — Jayden Dire, Mikey Allens, Patrick Raposa — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2020.