Austin’s latest feature “Inheritance”
Overly Honest Reviews
“Directed by Emily Moss Wilson and written by James, INHERITANCE is a testament to the dedication and resilience required in independent filmmaking. The project was over a decade in the making, and each line of dialogue and emotion displayed on the screen was filled with heart and passion. Specifically, Garces’ portrayal of Paige, who, Garces says, “was just trying to survive and didn’t understand why her actions were so bad.” James’ portrayal of Lucy counters this perfectly, trying to be their family’s balanced and grounded mind. Garces and James deliver standout performances as the estranged sisters, bringing raw emotion and authenticity to their roles. Their portrayal of deep-seated emotional struggles and complex sibling dynamics is poignant and relatable.” - Chris Jones, Overly Honest Film Reviews
Read the full Overly Honest Review Here
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Independent Critic
“Austin Highsmith Garces is similarly wonderful as Paige, a young woman who holds within her much more than we initially see.” - The Independent Critic, Richard Propes
Film Threat
"Inheritance is an authentic indie drama that tackles the messy realities of family, betrayal, and redemption. With standout performances from Rachel Noll James and Austin Highsmith Garces, the film hits hard emotionally and feels incredibly real. It explores how true inheritance often comes with unresolved issues, not just money. This movie is an excellent example of how indie films can tell powerful, heartfelt stories.” - Alan Ng, Film Threat 8/10
Read Full Film Threat Review Here
The Movie Waffler
“Lucy and Paige might fit the tropes of the sensible sister and her rebellious sibling, but in both their writing and performances, James and Garces make these women three dimensional… Despite Paige's narcissism, Garces' layered performance ensures we never quite view her as a pantomime villain, even if that's how she seems to think of herself.
Each time it appears as though Inheritance is about to take a turn into melodrama, it pulls back and offers a more nuanced take on the age-old drama of estranged siblings trashing out their resentments. Inheritance tells its story with machine-tooled precision, but it's recognisably human in its emotional messiness. Wilson, James and Garces have left an impressive calling card with this zippy but sensitive tale of familial strife.
Austin Highsmith Garces in the Press for the play “Home Front”
by Tony award winning playwright Warren Leight
Austin speaks with Kristin Smith on The Morning Wrap/KCAL about Home Front
The LA Times says: “[Maria Gobetti’s] actors understand their roles perfectly. Garces provides a touch of flightiness and gobs of tender poignancy as Annie; she is most natural in her character’s romantic devotion to James and in her easy banter with Edward.”
Broadway World says: “The acting is excellent as well. Lindsey and Garces are well-paired, both infusing their characters with a strong dose of idealism which falls away in different ways and at different times as Walker and Annie gradually learn the price they will pay for their relationship. As sympathetic as he clearly is to Walker's situation, Leight tilts the plot (and the audience's allegiance) in Annie's favor and comes close to martyring her to her country's sins and her husband's mule-headedness. But in Garces's steady hands, the character is consistently charismatic, believable and ever hopeful. It's lovely work.”
Stage Raw says: “Garces is a revelation, descending from an optimistic, high spirited young woman to a defeated, broken victim of circumstances beyond her control. She takes the audience with her every step of the way on her emotional journey.”
Stage Scene LA says: “The always captivating Garces matches her leading man every step of the way, and if Annie’s initial scenes serve primarily to reveal the L.A. stage star’s girl-next-door appeal, just wait until Annie’s pent-up fury gives Garces the chance to display bona fide dramatic chops in the most devastating of confrontations.”
Read more reviews for “Home Front” using the links below.
Austin Highsmith Garces as “Annie Overton” - “Home Front” Reviews Quote Sheet
LA Times/Charles McNulty: Her actors understand their roles perfectly. Garces provides a touch of flightiness and gobs of tender poignancy as Annie; she is most natural in her character’s romantic devotion to James and in her easy banter with Edward.
Broadway World/Evan Henerson: The acting is excellent as well. Lindsey and Garces are well- paired, both infusing their characters with a strong dose of idealism which falls away in different ways and at different times as Walker and Annie gradually learn the price they will pay for their relationship. As sympathetic as he clearly is to Walker's situation, Leight tilts the plot (and the audience's allegiance) in Annie's favor and comes close to martyring her to her country's sins and her husband's mule-headedness. But in Garces's steady hands, the character is consistently charismatic, believable and ever hopeful. It's lovely work.
Stage Raw/Iris Mann: Garces is a revelation, descending from an optimistic, high spirited young woman to a defeated, broken victim of circumstances beyond her control. She takes the audience with her every step of the way on her emotional journey.
Stage Scene LA/Steven Stanley: The always captivating Garces matches her leading man every step of the way, and if Annie’s initial scenes serve primarily to reveal the L.A. stage star’s girl-next-door appeal, just wait until Annie’s pent-up fury gives Garces the chance to display bona fide dramatic chops in the most devastating of confrontations.
Ticket Holders LA/Travis Michael Holder: Gobetti’s trio of veteran performers are exceptional and subtly able to draw us into their eventually heartbreaking story. The descent from a love- dazzled young couple thinking they can conquer all odds to angry, defeated people devastated by the ugly narrow-minded tribalism and unfounded sense of superiority of our country’s shameful past, is assayed to perfection by Highsmith Garces and Lindsey.
Glamgical: The three actors offer majestic performances. Austin Highsmith Garces is a fascinating and experienced actress that gives us a convincing portrayal of an unprejudiced woman willing to take risks. Her performance shows the nuances of a woman who is trying to navigate the challenging territories of love, motherhood, and broken dreams.
Theatre Spoken Here: Austin Highsmith Garces moves gracefully from naïve charmer to passionate lover to bewildered waiting woman.
Larchmont Buzz/Laura Foti Cohen: Their careful characterizations and exquisite acting by all three make this show something special.
NoHo Arts District/Samantha Simmonds-Ronceros: The performances are brilliant, each of these highly accomplished actors brings it all to the stage. The characters are nuanced and funny, intelligent and melancholy and drawn to each other by their longings and their losses and their inability to avoid or change their own true natures.