Sam & Janet

Rating:
Summary: Very Good Independent Film
Review: Admittedly... I'm an Okie and watched the movie to see the local scenes. It seemed to start a little slow and the acting could have been better at times. It kills me to give any negative views of it because knowing that it was an independent film for a first time writer/director leaves you thinking - wow that was pretty darn good!

As the movie progressed I found myself more drawn into it. Very well written and thought out. I was very surprised at how good the story was.

Rating:
Summary: Not a real "relationship" film
Review: OK. We don't expect this movie to be a slick Hollywood flick. It says it's about relationships and a wonderful independent film. So we go to the film hoping for some insight on relationships and come away without experiencing anything memorable.

The acting from the main characters and bartender is generally well done. Not always polished, but sometimes it's hard to separate acting from directing and writing.

The biggest flaw in this film? They need to decide who their audience is. Is it for mature adults who have real relationships? or is it for teenage or college-age boys who take great pleasure in acting stupid, drinking beer and treating women as sex objects...thinking all these things are somehow cool. If they are shooting to please the people who watch reality date shows, then they have a chance at good reviews.

I wanted to like the main character, but to get over his divorce, his friends take him to a strip club. Maybe the new director wanted to try some nude shots? As a happily married moral human being, I can say this is a real turn-off. The guy wasn't embarassed or wanting to leave. He reacted in a steretypical 'cool guy' way of saying how much he loves this life. Lots of macho thrown in here. People who have real relationships don't frequent strip clubs.

The girl in this movie shows real promise as marriage-worthy but chooses not to have sex with him for a year because she's secretly married. ??? There isn't enough emotional dialogue to convince us that they are even in love or have a relationship that could last. In the end, we assume they'll get together but don't really care.

I give it 2 stars because it's a first-time director and writer.
But I would say this one is easily missed.

PS-Watching shows like this reveals the importance of waterproof make-up in crying scenes.