For Maggie, her life has already changed, even if her boyfriend doesn’t know it. She’s a girl who feels stifled, and imprisoned, and somewhat distant from the man she’s with. When confronted with a man who seems to share her lust for a better path in life, Maggie has to be forced to decide if she wants the change, especially since she doesn’t even know how to decide on anything. Alisha Seaton gives a very good and vulnerable performance as this woman dabbling with temptation and hopefully a happy relationship, and is not entirely sure if risk is worth sacrificing security. Justin Lerner’s tale of infidelity juxtaposed with coming of age is absolutely stark and engrossing, and easily could have fit a ninety minute running time. Should we bemoan Maggie’s infidelity, or write it off as a woman who has just discovered a better option compared to a cold boyfriend? Is this new man really worth the sacrifice?

But Seaton’s performance is so pitch perfect that Maggie is a vulnerable, tragic, and oddly likable portrait of a woman who just can’t quite grow up and gains a sense of disgust with herself during love making. Lerner’s film feels very much like an homage to “Five Easy Pieces,” centered on a person that may always feel alienated, lost, and imprisoned for no inexplicable reason. With a combination of stark stale imagery along with soft cinematography, every moment is like a verse of poetry, with scenes that speak sounds about each individual. The reaction of Maggie’s boyfriend to her actions along with the way he confronts her lover not only speaks of the confusion Maggie possesses, but of the confusion she inflicts on the people around her. Maggie wants something, and she’s not even sure what, and in that quest, she is bound to destroy a lot of people’s lives, all in the name of self-gratification.

Justin Lerner's romance drama is an eloquent and grim portrait of a character lacking direction, satisfaction, and connection with her world, and may not find what she's looking for. Alisha Seaton's powerful performance, paired with Lerner's top notch production, makes "Maggie's Not Here" a superb short drama.

• For more information on "Maggie's Not Here," visit the official website.

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