i really hate when movies incorporate 2020s slang into their scripts it takes me out of the film so bad
Cinemas
Single parents Jacob Hara and Laura Acker live parallel lives, each needing to heal before they can find one another. A family secret throws everything into chaos, sending Jacob to his daughter Lexi's side to confront the past together.
Where to watch
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Cast & crew
6What people say
I admire the element of an architectural art installation by the late great Isamu Noguchi drawing together two parents struggling to understand their child. Although the filmmakers seem unsure of where to place certain themes within the film’s context, it is a well intended artistic effort.
There is something there in this! Didn’t quite all come together, but the raw emotions were seen.
Common questions
What is California Scenario about?+
The film follows two single parents as they confront personal struggles, generational trauma, and a long-hidden family secret while finding the space to heal.
Who directed California Scenario?+
It was directed by James Takata, a filmmaker whose 2026 work premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Does the film have an artistic focus?+
Yes, the film frequently draws inspiration from the atmosphere and design of the Isamu Noguchi sculpture garden in Costa Mesa.
