Casting Call for "My Brother, Marvin" Thesis Film

Angela Lewis is an observant, quick-witted college senior. She values family and community, and is very protective over her relationships. Angela has a strong sense of right and wrong, and a need to always have the moral high ground. But when faced with a tragic and nuanced situation, she struggles to find the emotional vulnerability to forgive and operate with empathy instead of fear and resentment.

Denise is a sophisticated and opinionated working wife and mother of two. She is especially critical of her daughter, Angela, and very affectionate with her husband, Javon, and son, Marvin. Coming from a lower-middle class upbringing, Denise is obsessed with the idea of social mobility and the prospects of her children accumulating wealth and succeeding in academia, no matter the cost.

LEAD, Marvin is an introverted and intelligent college freshman. Though Marvin was loved and supported by his family through childhood, his hobbies and interests made him feel like an outsider, so he was desperate for community and belonging. When Marvin is rejected and harmed by the people that he attempts to connect with, he isolates himself from family, and adopts a mindset of self-hatred which is detrimental mentally and physically.

Supporting Javon is a lighthearted and insightful father, who takes pride in having a happy, successful family. Javon revels in moments of joy and laughter with his loved ones, but avoids addressing heavy, serious moments, often at the emotional detriment of those round him.