Film 220 "Fruitvale Station" (In My Top 5 of the Year)
I had a rather quiet week this time around, given that I was coming off a very exciting previous week. I did attend one concert, on Thursday. I saw the remarkable instrumental, rock band from Austin, TX- Explosions in the Sky at the State Theatre. Now, I had discovered them by chance years ago. I remember it rather well. My two-year, first serious relationship had just ended and I was looking to escape Maine for a brief weekend, so I visited my sister. We ended up going to a party at one of her friend's house for a sushi party. But, at the party, her friend's were playing this great instrumental music that I was entranced by. I found out that it was Explosions in the Sky, and then I discovered that they had also done the soundtrack to a great movie, "Friday Night Lights" (as well as the television show's music). I've loved them ever since and the closest they've ever come is Boston a couple of times, but I've missed all their shows. So, when I found out they were coming to Portland, I knew this was a "must see" concert, to go along with all the other ones I've seen so far. (Summer is almost over for me, by the way, and school will be starting soon, but that's never stopped me from having the same amount of fun. I've already got some great shows lined up for the fall.)
Anyway, Explosions in the Sky put on an unbelievable show, where it was nonstop music for about an hour and a half. Here's their setlist from the other night:
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Film 220
"Fruitvale Station"
starring: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz
written and directed by: Ryan Coogler
This is, hands-down, the best film of the year. It has everything that makes a film memorable and great. Unbelievable acting. A true story that is gripping and pulls at the heartstrings, because you can't believe it actually happened, as you're watching it unfold. Great writing and direction. Fantastic pacing of a film recounting the last day of a young black man's life, in which you feel like you're experiencing his final day with him, even though he might not know it, but you do. Just enough tension. I mean, the tension certainly brought to mind another one of my all-time favorite films, "American History X," in which during every scene you are waiting for something, perhaps the inevitable to happen, because you already know the outcome. You're looking past the character's shoulder for him. You almost want to tell him through the screen, "Watch out!" but you know he has to do everything that he does, that it has to play out as it does.
"Fruitvale Station" is one of the most gut and emotionally wrenching films I've seen in a very long time. I could feel myself reacting emotionally, from the inside. I even teared up at the final scenes. And I don't cry (often) at films.
For those of you who don't know the real-life background story: Oscar Grant was a 22 year old black man from Oakland, CA who died on New Year's Day 2009, after a tumultuous New Year's Eve day. He was fatally shot by a BART officer when pulled from the subway train at Fruitvale Station after being involved in a raucous with another man on the train. While the police ordered Oscar and his group of buddies off the train in order to restore some sense of order and protection words were exchanged and power was misused which led to Oscar being handcuffed and physically abused by the officers and eventually shot (whether by accident or racially-fueled, still remains in question). The BART officer that killed Oscar was found guilty of a lesser charge, that being manslaughtered, instead of homicide, when he convinced the jury that he mistook his gun for his taser when he shot Oscar.
The film is thoroughly effective across the board, from the beginning scenes, which is the actual footage of the encounter and shooting (although shot from a blurry distance on the immobilized subway train by a passenger), which takes about 2 minutes. But, it serves its purpose fully. It informers the viewers right away that what is about to happen is one of the most recent sad and tragic stories that has made the news over the past few years. It also creates a mood of tension and dread from the outset that ruminates throughout the entire film, through every scene of Oscar alone (or even with his family, including his young daughter, his girlfriend and his mother, whom he has a strained relationship with). I think that's why it reminded me of "American History X." It was the tension and dread that filled every scene, which made it all-too-familiar to me, but I was still emotionally tied to the film. So, after this real-life footage, the director decides to show us Oscar Grants' travels and experiences in a full, final day, which happened to be New Year's Eve 2008.
We are left to observe Oscar Grant as he attempts to be a better man, which makes it a rather sentimental film, because we know the outcome of the fruits of his labors (although he doesn't- which begs the question of if you knew this was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it? Perhaps subconsciously, Oscar knew something was amiss, he he was going to make amends for all his wrongdoings, no matter how small).
1) He vows to be a better boyfriend to his girlfriend and baby's mama, Sophina (played miraculously well by Melonie Diaz, who was a strong female in the film, much like his mother). Hell, at one point, while talking with a white guy on the streets, while their respective ladies are in a closed store going to the bathroom, he even divulges that he's thinking about marriage.
2) We see him as a loving son and grandson, to see mother (whose birthday it is, on NYE, on gets her a card)
3) He wants to turn over a new leaf, and get away from his gangbanging past, I suppose, as well as stop selling pot to make ends meet
4) He wants to get his grocery job back, which he lost because he didn't take it seriously and he was consistently late one too many times
5) We also see instances of his hair-triggered temper on several occasions, once in the grocery store and then in a flashback scene while his mom is visiting him in jail- which ironically follows him later on and leads to the train incident
6) He is a kind-hearted person with good intentions as he helps a white girl at the grocery store figure out how to fry fish for a party and he's very charismatic and charming, in how he talks to people, in order to get things he wants. And we see him interact with a seemingly lost dog at a gas station and then he comforts the same dog after it gets hit by a car that just drives off moments later.
The film doesn't look to make him a martyr, instead it's just trying to show us that here was a guy who finally recognized that he was looking to making some serious changes in his life, to make things better for himself and everyone around him. He's clearly trying to improve his life's situation, which only makes his tragic death more poignant.
The film rides on Michael B. Jordan's performance as Oscar Grant and he gives a brilliant, Oscar-award-winning performance. He is brilliant as the sensitive guy who clearly loves his daughter. The scenes between father and daughter are wonderful to watch and it makes you feel extremely sad that this poor little girl no longer has a dad around who cares so deeply for her. Michael B. Jordan has been in a couple of the best television shows on TV in the past couple of decades (Re: The Wire and Friday Night Lights), but this performance will certainly propel him into full-on movie star status. This is the performance that will certainly earn him plenty of awards at that time of season, as well as the film itself.
More evidence of his ability, if you need it:
................................................................................
Film 221
"What We Do Is Secret"
starring: Shane West, Bijou Phillips, Nick Gonzalez
I learned about The Germs through Nirvana in high school. When Pat Smear joined the band in 1993 as an extra/utility guitar player, I had to find out where he came from and why Kurt Cobain had asked for him. Turns out Pat Smear (not his real name, by the way) helped form and played guitar in the L.A. punk band, The Germs, in the late 70s (1977-1980). The Germs most notable musician, though, was singer/performer Darby Crash.
This film, although being billed as a "Germs biopic" really focuses on Darby Crash and his crazy antics and wild drug use (which actually led to his death- an intentional overdose with heroin...ironically on the same exact day that John Lennon was shot to death in NYC, and so Darby Crash's death took a backseat to the much more famous Lennon).
Shane West plays Darby Crash in this film, and he helped produce the film as well. The film kick-started a brief reunion of the actual band, with members Pat Smear, Lorna Doom and original drummer Don Bolles with Shane West filling Darby Crash's very-large shoes as the singer. Shane West actually does a good job channeling Darby Crash, and you are almost convinced that the biopic may actually be a documentary. He talks like him (complete with a full set of prosthetic jagged-edge teeth like the real dude), especially when he goes off on rants about fascism and the (L.A.) youth culture. He is charismatic like the real dude.
But what doesn't work for me really stood out more. I was not a fan of the faux-documentary style, with the musicians and others talking about the time period to the audience. I didn't really care about those scenes and there's far too many of them, which leaves the film disjointed and less "realistic." I wanted to see more of how Darby rose to such infamy so quickly. I wanted to see more stage and behind-the-scenes action. It's like in "Almost Famous" with the behind the scenes, band interactions really made you feel like you were getting to know those guys not just as musicians but as people. Perhaps because Darby Crash was not much of a people-person, not that he particularly cared to be that (or liked for that matter), but it would've been nice to not necessarily keep "what they do as a secret" and to be let into the dark, seedy, and even scary world of a punk-rocker/drug addict/gay musician.
I can definitely see why they (the Germs) were an influential L.A. punk band because they had the attitude (and their one album was produced by Joan Jett, hello street cred), but the film really lacked in the "answers" department. I wanted to see more explanations for why they acted the way they did and why Darby Crash had the attitude that made him such a rock star. For a faux documentary, it lacks the context. I was disappointed by the film, but it intrigued me to want to know more. Perhaps I will watch Penelope Spheeries' documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization" which apparently really gets into the Germs history with a lot more detail.
......................................................................................
Film 222
"The Tall Man"
starring: Jessica Biel
written and directed: Pascal Laugier
"The Tall Man" is a rip-off of a movie, and perhaps that's why it went straight to DVD. But honestly, is that what Jessica Biel's career has come to? What a nose dive! Sure, she's married to Justin Timberlake, but he seems to be getting the better or juicier roles than his movie star-actress wife.
Here, Biel plays a nurse, whose dead husband was the town's famous doctor (and she's been living in his shadow for a couple of years now, never completely able to fill his large shoes) in a skeleton of a small-town community. Sure, the director creates the ominous atmosphere of a backwards, redneck-esque type ghost-town, but there's just no real substance in the film at all. The town thrives on the mystery of the rumors of a "Tall Man" who has been abducting children and "spiriting them away." We never actually see this villain, except for a few shots, but then the film blows wide open when it's "secret" is revealed far too soon. (Spoiler alert: the Tall Man doesn't actually exists). I don't feel bad for revealing the truth that comes to light halfway through, because I'm not sure you'll really want to watch this away. It's like a poor-poor, third-world country version of "Nightmare on Elm Street" except the kids don't have dreams where they are stolen from, but rather they are just scooped up and kidnapped right from town.
This is the kind of film, that once it plays a reversal on you and switches villains about halfway through, you feel completed cheated on. It's almost like the filmmakers assume you are too dumb to recognize how lame it's reversal is. It starts as a horror movie, with the idea of "The Tall Man" being the unseen, but widely speculated villain abducted all these children into a psychological thriller, where the filmmakers are left to explain why Biel's character has had the choices she's made. I enjoyed Jessica Biel's heart in this role, playing a severely screwed up woman, and I think her decent performances have been few and far between (this being one of the exceptions, see also her role in the remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre").
But, with that being said, I just didn't buy anything else the film was trying to sell me and I felt cheated as a film viewer. I don't like watching movies, where I believe the filmmakers think they can do whatever they want, with no concern to the audience's reaction to it and plot reversals are a risk so few take, because the rewards come few and far between. This film doesn't reward itself for the reversal. It kind of leaves you spinning on your head, asking, "Why, why did they choose to go that route?"
It's unfortunately a waste of time.
.......................................................................................
Film 223
"Bloomington"
starring: Allison McAtee and Sarah Stouffer
written and directed by: Fernanda Cardoso
I actually enjoyed this film for what it was and definitely what it was trying to avoid being (re: an erotic lesbian fantasy film). It had just enough heart in it to be decent, even though at times it played itself out like a made-for-TV cautionary tale about experimental lesbian affairs that turn sour.
Jackie (played by newcomer Sarah Stouffer, who is every bit adorable as she is youthfully beautiful and attractive) is a former child actress/star of a popular television show, who is attempting normalcy by attending college with her peers (who don't take a liking to her at first and for some, at all; and just continually scoff at her success). She is in Bloomington, Indiana after living the fast-paced and expensive life in California in order to get a college degree, since she's been canceled as a television star. Unfortunately, that show is all she's really known for- and she knows it. She wants more for herself, and really wants to escape that "old" life. Her peers mock her star-granted privileges.
Watching this actually made me think about Emma Watson (one of the stars of the wildly popular "Harry Potter" film franchise, where she played Hermione). She attempted to have a "normal" college experience when she attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, but ended up having a horrible experience, one that she doesn't look back on very fondly.
Enter: the mysterious, vampy Psychology Professor Catherine (played with great ease and expertise by Allison McAtee, to a degree that makes you almost forget that she's actually, maybe, quite possibly a predator of sorts, I mean, she ends up sleeping with and having a full-blown affair with a young college Freshman- Jackie). Catherine has become quite infamous in her own right, a sort of campus folklore and cautionary tale told to all incoming Freshman- a tale that includes affairs with students who soon turn up missing. Catherine is a very strong female, that's for sure, and you can tell she gets what she wants. She has a certain look about her, especially when she's scoping out Jackie at a Department gathering, after which she tries to get a kiss from Jackie, only to be denied, but then invites her back to her place for a nightcap (smooth move) where she then gets exactly what she wants: Jackie in bed. As the affair develops, so does their clinging, dependent relationship. They depend on each other, that is very clear, but it's not too sappy. The drama actually holds your interest, and you want to see if this poor couple will make it, since the cards are clearly stacked against them, as well as the ridicule they will inevitably face (given how their relationship started).
All that being said, I was a bit let down by the film because it presents a story that has many unanswered questions- many of which focus on the background of its main characters. Jackie has clearly faced some tragedies in her young life, I mean, she is a child star and the relationship with her mother is clearly strained and screwed up, which I think would explain a lot for why Jackie has become who she is, as well as the choices she's made, but nothing is really dissected there, except for a couple of scenes between the two of them. Also, a big question that floats around the entire film: why have all of Catherine's former lovers disappeared? What "terrible" character traits does she have that drives people away? What is wrong with her? Certainly a question I find myself asking about myself now that I've seen 3-4 serious relationships deteriorate or simply put, not work out. Is it me? And if it is, what is it about me? Neither of these ladies seem to ask themselves that question and nor does the film ask it of its main characters, which also doesn't allow it to provide any answers (for the viewers), so we are left to just simply believe that they were not meant to be together...even at the culmination of the film, when you think, "oh, it will work out for them." It doesn't, it terms of romance, but they've certainly gotten what they wanted. But, the climax leaves you feeling dissatisfied and shortchanged, because of what it was perhaps building up to.
Although it does help that both actresses are extremely attractive. Allison McAtee might actually have the most devastatingly beautiful dimples I've ever seen on a woman.
It's a decent movie, despite its shortfalls. A lot better than the previous lesbian-focused romance that I watched and reviewed in an earlier post.
Anyway, Explosions in the Sky put on an unbelievable show, where it was nonstop music for about an hour and a half. Here's their setlist from the other night:
.............................................................................
Film 220
"Fruitvale Station"
starring: Michael B. Jordan, Octavia Spencer, Melonie Diaz
written and directed by: Ryan Coogler
This is, hands-down, the best film of the year. It has everything that makes a film memorable and great. Unbelievable acting. A true story that is gripping and pulls at the heartstrings, because you can't believe it actually happened, as you're watching it unfold. Great writing and direction. Fantastic pacing of a film recounting the last day of a young black man's life, in which you feel like you're experiencing his final day with him, even though he might not know it, but you do. Just enough tension. I mean, the tension certainly brought to mind another one of my all-time favorite films, "American History X," in which during every scene you are waiting for something, perhaps the inevitable to happen, because you already know the outcome. You're looking past the character's shoulder for him. You almost want to tell him through the screen, "Watch out!" but you know he has to do everything that he does, that it has to play out as it does.
"Fruitvale Station" is one of the most gut and emotionally wrenching films I've seen in a very long time. I could feel myself reacting emotionally, from the inside. I even teared up at the final scenes. And I don't cry (often) at films.
For those of you who don't know the real-life background story: Oscar Grant was a 22 year old black man from Oakland, CA who died on New Year's Day 2009, after a tumultuous New Year's Eve day. He was fatally shot by a BART officer when pulled from the subway train at Fruitvale Station after being involved in a raucous with another man on the train. While the police ordered Oscar and his group of buddies off the train in order to restore some sense of order and protection words were exchanged and power was misused which led to Oscar being handcuffed and physically abused by the officers and eventually shot (whether by accident or racially-fueled, still remains in question). The BART officer that killed Oscar was found guilty of a lesser charge, that being manslaughtered, instead of homicide, when he convinced the jury that he mistook his gun for his taser when he shot Oscar.
The film is thoroughly effective across the board, from the beginning scenes, which is the actual footage of the encounter and shooting (although shot from a blurry distance on the immobilized subway train by a passenger), which takes about 2 minutes. But, it serves its purpose fully. It informers the viewers right away that what is about to happen is one of the most recent sad and tragic stories that has made the news over the past few years. It also creates a mood of tension and dread from the outset that ruminates throughout the entire film, through every scene of Oscar alone (or even with his family, including his young daughter, his girlfriend and his mother, whom he has a strained relationship with). I think that's why it reminded me of "American History X." It was the tension and dread that filled every scene, which made it all-too-familiar to me, but I was still emotionally tied to the film. So, after this real-life footage, the director decides to show us Oscar Grants' travels and experiences in a full, final day, which happened to be New Year's Eve 2008.
We are left to observe Oscar Grant as he attempts to be a better man, which makes it a rather sentimental film, because we know the outcome of the fruits of his labors (although he doesn't- which begs the question of if you knew this was your last day on Earth, how would you spend it? Perhaps subconsciously, Oscar knew something was amiss, he he was going to make amends for all his wrongdoings, no matter how small).
1) He vows to be a better boyfriend to his girlfriend and baby's mama, Sophina (played miraculously well by Melonie Diaz, who was a strong female in the film, much like his mother). Hell, at one point, while talking with a white guy on the streets, while their respective ladies are in a closed store going to the bathroom, he even divulges that he's thinking about marriage.
2) We see him as a loving son and grandson, to see mother (whose birthday it is, on NYE, on gets her a card)
3) He wants to turn over a new leaf, and get away from his gangbanging past, I suppose, as well as stop selling pot to make ends meet
4) He wants to get his grocery job back, which he lost because he didn't take it seriously and he was consistently late one too many times
5) We also see instances of his hair-triggered temper on several occasions, once in the grocery store and then in a flashback scene while his mom is visiting him in jail- which ironically follows him later on and leads to the train incident
6) He is a kind-hearted person with good intentions as he helps a white girl at the grocery store figure out how to fry fish for a party and he's very charismatic and charming, in how he talks to people, in order to get things he wants. And we see him interact with a seemingly lost dog at a gas station and then he comforts the same dog after it gets hit by a car that just drives off moments later.
The film doesn't look to make him a martyr, instead it's just trying to show us that here was a guy who finally recognized that he was looking to making some serious changes in his life, to make things better for himself and everyone around him. He's clearly trying to improve his life's situation, which only makes his tragic death more poignant.
The film rides on Michael B. Jordan's performance as Oscar Grant and he gives a brilliant, Oscar-award-winning performance. He is brilliant as the sensitive guy who clearly loves his daughter. The scenes between father and daughter are wonderful to watch and it makes you feel extremely sad that this poor little girl no longer has a dad around who cares so deeply for her. Michael B. Jordan has been in a couple of the best television shows on TV in the past couple of decades (Re: The Wire and Friday Night Lights), but this performance will certainly propel him into full-on movie star status. This is the performance that will certainly earn him plenty of awards at that time of season, as well as the film itself.
More evidence of his ability, if you need it:
................................................................................
Film 221
"What We Do Is Secret"
starring: Shane West, Bijou Phillips, Nick Gonzalez
I learned about The Germs through Nirvana in high school. When Pat Smear joined the band in 1993 as an extra/utility guitar player, I had to find out where he came from and why Kurt Cobain had asked for him. Turns out Pat Smear (not his real name, by the way) helped form and played guitar in the L.A. punk band, The Germs, in the late 70s (1977-1980). The Germs most notable musician, though, was singer/performer Darby Crash.
This film, although being billed as a "Germs biopic" really focuses on Darby Crash and his crazy antics and wild drug use (which actually led to his death- an intentional overdose with heroin...ironically on the same exact day that John Lennon was shot to death in NYC, and so Darby Crash's death took a backseat to the much more famous Lennon).
Shane West plays Darby Crash in this film, and he helped produce the film as well. The film kick-started a brief reunion of the actual band, with members Pat Smear, Lorna Doom and original drummer Don Bolles with Shane West filling Darby Crash's very-large shoes as the singer. Shane West actually does a good job channeling Darby Crash, and you are almost convinced that the biopic may actually be a documentary. He talks like him (complete with a full set of prosthetic jagged-edge teeth like the real dude), especially when he goes off on rants about fascism and the (L.A.) youth culture. He is charismatic like the real dude.
But what doesn't work for me really stood out more. I was not a fan of the faux-documentary style, with the musicians and others talking about the time period to the audience. I didn't really care about those scenes and there's far too many of them, which leaves the film disjointed and less "realistic." I wanted to see more of how Darby rose to such infamy so quickly. I wanted to see more stage and behind-the-scenes action. It's like in "Almost Famous" with the behind the scenes, band interactions really made you feel like you were getting to know those guys not just as musicians but as people. Perhaps because Darby Crash was not much of a people-person, not that he particularly cared to be that (or liked for that matter), but it would've been nice to not necessarily keep "what they do as a secret" and to be let into the dark, seedy, and even scary world of a punk-rocker/drug addict/gay musician.
I can definitely see why they (the Germs) were an influential L.A. punk band because they had the attitude (and their one album was produced by Joan Jett, hello street cred), but the film really lacked in the "answers" department. I wanted to see more explanations for why they acted the way they did and why Darby Crash had the attitude that made him such a rock star. For a faux documentary, it lacks the context. I was disappointed by the film, but it intrigued me to want to know more. Perhaps I will watch Penelope Spheeries' documentary "The Decline of Western Civilization" which apparently really gets into the Germs history with a lot more detail.
......................................................................................
Film 222
"The Tall Man"
starring: Jessica Biel
written and directed: Pascal Laugier
"The Tall Man" is a rip-off of a movie, and perhaps that's why it went straight to DVD. But honestly, is that what Jessica Biel's career has come to? What a nose dive! Sure, she's married to Justin Timberlake, but he seems to be getting the better or juicier roles than his movie star-actress wife.
Here, Biel plays a nurse, whose dead husband was the town's famous doctor (and she's been living in his shadow for a couple of years now, never completely able to fill his large shoes) in a skeleton of a small-town community. Sure, the director creates the ominous atmosphere of a backwards, redneck-esque type ghost-town, but there's just no real substance in the film at all. The town thrives on the mystery of the rumors of a "Tall Man" who has been abducting children and "spiriting them away." We never actually see this villain, except for a few shots, but then the film blows wide open when it's "secret" is revealed far too soon. (Spoiler alert: the Tall Man doesn't actually exists). I don't feel bad for revealing the truth that comes to light halfway through, because I'm not sure you'll really want to watch this away. It's like a poor-poor, third-world country version of "Nightmare on Elm Street" except the kids don't have dreams where they are stolen from, but rather they are just scooped up and kidnapped right from town.
This is the kind of film, that once it plays a reversal on you and switches villains about halfway through, you feel completed cheated on. It's almost like the filmmakers assume you are too dumb to recognize how lame it's reversal is. It starts as a horror movie, with the idea of "The Tall Man" being the unseen, but widely speculated villain abducted all these children into a psychological thriller, where the filmmakers are left to explain why Biel's character has had the choices she's made. I enjoyed Jessica Biel's heart in this role, playing a severely screwed up woman, and I think her decent performances have been few and far between (this being one of the exceptions, see also her role in the remake of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre").
But, with that being said, I just didn't buy anything else the film was trying to sell me and I felt cheated as a film viewer. I don't like watching movies, where I believe the filmmakers think they can do whatever they want, with no concern to the audience's reaction to it and plot reversals are a risk so few take, because the rewards come few and far between. This film doesn't reward itself for the reversal. It kind of leaves you spinning on your head, asking, "Why, why did they choose to go that route?"
It's unfortunately a waste of time.
.......................................................................................
Film 223
"Bloomington"
starring: Allison McAtee and Sarah Stouffer
written and directed by: Fernanda Cardoso
I actually enjoyed this film for what it was and definitely what it was trying to avoid being (re: an erotic lesbian fantasy film). It had just enough heart in it to be decent, even though at times it played itself out like a made-for-TV cautionary tale about experimental lesbian affairs that turn sour.
Jackie (played by newcomer Sarah Stouffer, who is every bit adorable as she is youthfully beautiful and attractive) is a former child actress/star of a popular television show, who is attempting normalcy by attending college with her peers (who don't take a liking to her at first and for some, at all; and just continually scoff at her success). She is in Bloomington, Indiana after living the fast-paced and expensive life in California in order to get a college degree, since she's been canceled as a television star. Unfortunately, that show is all she's really known for- and she knows it. She wants more for herself, and really wants to escape that "old" life. Her peers mock her star-granted privileges.
Watching this actually made me think about Emma Watson (one of the stars of the wildly popular "Harry Potter" film franchise, where she played Hermione). She attempted to have a "normal" college experience when she attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, but ended up having a horrible experience, one that she doesn't look back on very fondly.
Enter: the mysterious, vampy Psychology Professor Catherine (played with great ease and expertise by Allison McAtee, to a degree that makes you almost forget that she's actually, maybe, quite possibly a predator of sorts, I mean, she ends up sleeping with and having a full-blown affair with a young college Freshman- Jackie). Catherine has become quite infamous in her own right, a sort of campus folklore and cautionary tale told to all incoming Freshman- a tale that includes affairs with students who soon turn up missing. Catherine is a very strong female, that's for sure, and you can tell she gets what she wants. She has a certain look about her, especially when she's scoping out Jackie at a Department gathering, after which she tries to get a kiss from Jackie, only to be denied, but then invites her back to her place for a nightcap (smooth move) where she then gets exactly what she wants: Jackie in bed. As the affair develops, so does their clinging, dependent relationship. They depend on each other, that is very clear, but it's not too sappy. The drama actually holds your interest, and you want to see if this poor couple will make it, since the cards are clearly stacked against them, as well as the ridicule they will inevitably face (given how their relationship started).
All that being said, I was a bit let down by the film because it presents a story that has many unanswered questions- many of which focus on the background of its main characters. Jackie has clearly faced some tragedies in her young life, I mean, she is a child star and the relationship with her mother is clearly strained and screwed up, which I think would explain a lot for why Jackie has become who she is, as well as the choices she's made, but nothing is really dissected there, except for a couple of scenes between the two of them. Also, a big question that floats around the entire film: why have all of Catherine's former lovers disappeared? What "terrible" character traits does she have that drives people away? What is wrong with her? Certainly a question I find myself asking about myself now that I've seen 3-4 serious relationships deteriorate or simply put, not work out. Is it me? And if it is, what is it about me? Neither of these ladies seem to ask themselves that question and nor does the film ask it of its main characters, which also doesn't allow it to provide any answers (for the viewers), so we are left to just simply believe that they were not meant to be together...even at the culmination of the film, when you think, "oh, it will work out for them." It doesn't, it terms of romance, but they've certainly gotten what they wanted. But, the climax leaves you feeling dissatisfied and shortchanged, because of what it was perhaps building up to.
Although it does help that both actresses are extremely attractive. Allison McAtee might actually have the most devastatingly beautiful dimples I've ever seen on a woman.
It's a decent movie, despite its shortfalls. A lot better than the previous lesbian-focused romance that I watched and reviewed in an earlier post.
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