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Set deep in the heart of Texas, Daniel Laabs’ Jules of Light and Dark explores the landscape of recovery as an unlikely friendship is formed between college student Maya (Tallie Medel) and divorced oil worker Freddy (Robert Longstreet). Both are coming to terms with past baggage as Maya recovers from a breakup with Jules (Betsy Holt), a bi-sexual rave girl who is unfortunately not as well developed or as interesting as Maya and Freddy. Laab’s sparse narrative occasionally finds itself bogged down by too little exposition, relying heavily on the poetry of cinematographer Noe Medrano Jr.’s camera and the excellent, natural performances of Medel and Longstreet to do the heavy lifting. It’s a gamble that for the most part works well, even if too often repeats concepts and frames constantly. A favorite shot used too often is Medel’s Maya looking off into the distance, contemplating, a...